As the days grow shorter and cooler weather sets in, one of the simple joys of autumn is watching the green leaves of deciduous trees transform into a kaleidoscope of fiery reds, sunny yellows, and rich oranges Among the many maple tree species prized for their fall foliage is the Norway maple (Acer platanoides) While not the flashiest, Norway maples deliver a brilliant display of golden yellow leaves to usher in the autumn season.
Overview of Norway Maple Trees
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, the Norway maple was introduced to North America as an ornamental landscape tree. It has since naturalized across much of the eastern and central U.S and Canada.
This deciduous maple grows 40 to 50 feet tall at maturity, with an oval or rounded crown spanning up to 40 feet. The leaves are opposite, 4 to 7 inches wide, with 5 or 7 pointed lobes. In spring, the petite yellow-green flowers appear just as the leaves emerge. The paired winged seeds called samaras mature and drop in fall.
Norway maples thrive in various soil types and withstand pollution and urban conditions. However, they also have an aggressive root system and can self-seed prolifically, becoming invasive in some areas. For this reason, some states prohibit or restrict planting Norway maples.
Typical Fall Foliage Color
In autumn most Norway maple trees ignite with clear golden yellow foliage. This sunny yellow fall color typically develops in mid-autumn providing a cheerful backdrop to the vivid red and purple leaves of other maple species.
The intensity of fall color can vary depending on soil conditions, summer weather, genetics and other factors. Some Norway maples may develop leaf colors in vibrant hues of orange-yellow. Occasionally, the leaves may skip yellow and brown directly after frost. But most commonly, they turn a consistent, bright yellow.
While Norway maple isn’t the most dazzling, it offers reliably brilliant fall color. The golden leaves contrast handsomely against the gray bark and complement evergreens or other trees with red foliage.
Why Leaf Color Changes in Autumn
Deciduous maple, oak, and other broadleaf trees owe their autumn rainbow of foliage colors to natural pigments present in the leaves. The main leaf pigments are:
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Chlorophyll – Produces the green color in leaves through the growing season. As days shorten in fall, chlorophyll production stops.
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Carotenoids – Create yellow, orange and brown hues. Present all season but revealed as green chlorophyll fades.
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Anthocyanins – Generate bright red tones. Produced in autumn in response to sugars trapped in leaves and sunlight exposure.
As chlorophyll creation winds down with cooler weather and less daylight, carotenoids become visible and create yellows and oranges. Red anthocyanins may also be manufactured if enough sugars remain trapped in the leaves.
Temperature, light levels, soil nutrition and genetics determine the precise leaf pigments made. This accounts for the amazing variations in fall color not just among maple species, but even among individual trees.
Encouraging Vibrant Fall Maple Colors
Although Mother Nature ultimately controls the intensity of autumn foliage, you can take steps to encourage your Norway maple to achieve its best potential:
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Select cultivars bred for superior fall color like ‘Fairview’ or ‘Indian Summer’.
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Provide adequate water during dry periods in late summer and early fall. Drought stress reduces color.
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Ensure proper spring nitrogen fertilization, but avoid excess nitrogen in fall.
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Plant in full sun for the brightest color development. Too much shade dilutes intensity.
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Prune to open up the canopy and allow more light penetration.
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Prevent early frost damage by avoiding low areas prone to cold pockets.
Even in years when the colors are less vibrant than hoped for, Norway maples offer great landscape structure with branching interest in winter and lush summer foliage.
Top Maple Trees for Fall Color
For more electrifying fall maple color, consider these options that typically turn vibrant shades of crimson, orange and burgundy:
- Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
- Black maple (Acer saccharum subsp. nigrum)
- Autumn Blaze maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’)
- Amur maple (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala)
Non-maple trees with excellent fall foliage include black gum, sweetgum, dogwood, sourwood, ash, oak, beech, and tupelo among others. Blending varied species ensures an extended autumn color show.
So while the Norway maple may not have the most dazzling autumn display, it earns a place in the landscape for dependable golden fall color. Mixing it with other trees promises a fuller spectrum of autumn’s painting.
Distinguishing Norway Maple from Sugar Maple
Norway and sugar maple trees can be easily confused, especially in fall when their leaf colors converge in hues of yellow and orange. Here are tips for telling them apart:
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Leaf size – Norway maple leaves are generally larger, 4 to 7 inches wide compared to sugar maple’s 3 to 5 inches.
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Lobe shape – Norway maple leaf lobes are more pointed than the rounded lobes of sugar maple.
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Fall color – Norway maple turns clear yellow while sugar maple shifts through oranges and reds.
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Bark – Young Norway maple bark is smoother than sugar maple’s ragged bark. Older Norway bark develops shallow furrows compared to sugar maple’s deeply furrowed bark.
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Flowers – Norway maple flowers are greenish-yellow. Sugar maples have yellow, drooping clusters.
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Leaf stalk sap – Breaking a Norway maple petiole (leaf stalk) reveals milky white sap, unlike the clear sap of sugar maples.
So for glowing golden fall color, plant a Norway maple. Or for more fiery tones, choose a sugar, red, or freeman maple. With so many excellent maples, you’re sure to find one perfect for your landscape.
5 Best Maple Trees for Fall Color | NatureHills.com
FAQ
What color are Norway maples in the fall?
What color are maple leaves in the fall?
What color are Deborah Norway maples in the fall?
What are the cons of Norway maples?
How do you know if a Norway maple is a sugar maple?
Norway maple should be planted at least 100 yards from natural areas. The sugar maple usually has a brighter orange autumn color, where the Norway maple is usually yellow, although some of the red-leaved cultivars appear more orange. The sugar maple has clear sap in the petiole (leaf stem); Norway maple petioles have white sap.
What does a Norway maple look like?
In spring, scented yellow flowers, borne in showy clusters appear before the leaves and are followed by two-winged samara. Long-lived (60 to 200 years) and fast-growing, Norway Maple also provides some winter interest, with its attractive, grayish bark, regularly and shallowly grooved. Excellent shade tree or as a specimen.
Is Norway maple a shade tree?
It was introduced to North America in the mid-1700s as a shade tree. Norway maple is a member of the family Sapindaceae and is a part of the section Platanoidea Pax, which is characterized by flattened, disc-shaped seeds and the shoots and leaves containing milky sap.
Are Norway maple trees invasive?
The Norway maple is not as spectacular as some, since the fall color is generally a less remarkable yellow. However, it can be a good choice in difficult urban conditions because it adapts well to many soil types and environmental pollutants. Norway maples are such tenacious trees that they can be invasive in some areas of North America.
How many flowers does a Norway maple tree have?
The tree produces bright green flowers that grow in clusters of up to 30. The flowers are already visible long before the foliage emergence and contain a lot of nectar. The angle of the seeds is wider in Norway maple.
Which maple tree is best for fall color?
Red Maple is one of the most popular trees for fall color, and it’s easy to see why. Native to eastern North America, this maple offers a stunning display of red, orange, and sometimes yellow leaves in the fall, creating a breathtaking contrast against the sky.