The short answer

Quick Answer

Field Maple (Acer campestre) thrives in full sun or partial shade or full shade on chalky soils (pH 6-8), free-draining. Reaches 5 to 15m tall depending on whether grown as tree or hedge. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -25°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Late autumn to midwinter for hedge. Late winter for tree

How: Tolerates hard pruning. For a hedge, trim twice a year in July and September. For a tree, remove only dead or crossing branches

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Europe and western Asia

Native or exotic: Native to the UK

History: A traditional hedgerow tree across lowland Britain for centuries. Widely used in mixed native hedges

Folklore: Field maple was traditionally planted near a house to protect against evil spirits. The branches were sometimes brought indoors for May Day decorations

Fun fact: Field maple is the UKs only native maple. The wood is one of the hardest of any European tree and was traditionally used for turning and carving

Historical medicinal uses: Bark and leaves used in traditional medicine. Not for self-use

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees visit the small spring flowers [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 8 out of 10 High. Native tree supports many insects and birds. Excellent in mixed hedges[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 6 out of 10 Fresh spring leaves. Autumn colour in October and November[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant in mixed native hedges with hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and dogwood

Pest control: Generally pest free. Tar spot on leaves in some years

Common diseases and issues: Tar spot, sooty bark disease, verticillium wilt. See RHS tar spot advice

Invasive note: Not invasive. Self-seeds gently in hedgerows

CGM care note

Field maple is our default native tree for a small garden on chalk soil. We plant it as a feathered whip in November and let it grow to about 2 metres before removing the lower branches to make a clean trunk. For a native hedge we plant at 30cm spacing with three other species.

CGM guides mentioning Field Maple (Acer campestre)

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Field Maple (Acer campestre) and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Field Maple (Acer campestre)

How Field Maple (Acer campestre) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Yew (English Yew), suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Privet, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Beech, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Hornbeam, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Cherry Laurel, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Escallonia, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance

Avoid planting beside

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Field Maple (Acer campestre).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Field Maple (Acer campestre) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Field Maple (Acer campestre) (Acer campestre). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Acer campestre. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Sapindaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Harrington MG, Edwards EJ, Kadereit G, Gadek PA (2005). Phylogenetic inference in Sapindaceae. Systematic Botany, 30(2), 366-382.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Sapindaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, pruning.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The pollinator description above ("Bees visit the small spring flowers") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Native tree supports many insects and birds. Excellent in mixed hedges") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Fresh spring leaves. Autumn colour in October and November".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees visit the small spring flowers"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Field Maple (Acer campestre)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Native tree supports many insects and birds. Excellent in mixed hedges") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Field Maple (Acer campestre)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Sapindaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Field Maple (Acer campestre). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Field Maple (Acer campestre). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Field Maple (Acer campestre). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Field Maple (Acer campestre) performs well locally

Towns where Field Maple (Acer campestre) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

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