Norway Maple - Tree Canada

introduced to North America in the mid-1700’s from Eurasia as an ornamental tree
occurs in southern British Columbia and from southern Ontario east to Newfoundland
widely available from nurseries

large deciduous tree that usually grows to 12-18 m (40-60 ft) with a widely-spreading crown
leaves are ‘maple-shaped’ and usually dark green
leaf stems exude a milky sap when broken
the small, greenish flowers appear in early spring followed by the developing seeds
the flattened seeds occur in pairs with widely-spreading wings that help with wind dispersal
reproduction is by seeds which are produced in abundance and germinate quickly
can grow in a wide range of conditions

grows in dense stands that suppress native tree seedlings due to shade
shallow root system prevents native tree seedlings from establishing
leaves release toxins that affect soil fungi and microbes
very shade tolerant and can out-compete native trees, such as Sugar Maple and Red Oak
leaf out is early in spring and leaf drop is late in the fall giving Norway Maple a long growing season compared to native species

cutting trunks followed by herbicide application to the cut trunks
herbicide application to seedlings or young saplings
several years of control may be needed since the seeds are unaffected by the above methods and seedlings can recolonize an area

Tree Killers: Norway Maple