How fast does it grow?

It is a slow to moderate grower.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it makes an excellent bonsai subject.

Plant guide

Field Maple.

Acer campestre

Pronounced AY-ser kam-PES-tree

Also known as Field Maple, Hedge maple

The field maple is a lovely, hardy tree native to much of Europe and parts of Asia. It is well known for its small, lobed leaves that turn a beautiful golden yellow in the autumn. It is a fantastic choice for hedging or as a standalone specimen in a garden.

Another photo of Field Maple — Photo by Lorenzo Locati (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 15 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant in a spot with good drainage and plenty of space for its roots to spread. Keep an eye out for aphids or mildew during humid spells. Regular mulching helps keep the soil moist and healthy.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years until the tree is established.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to maintain shape or density.
Repotting: Only necessary for container grown specimens when they become root bound.
Soil: Chalk, clay, or loam
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived, often over 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot.
Water draining through the pot very quickly.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children regarding this tree.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies.
Edibility: The foliage and seeds are not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Small, five lobed leaves
Corked bark on younger stems
Winged seeds in pairs
Golden yellow autumn foliage

Height: 6 to 15m
Spread: 4 to 10m
Leaves: dark green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: greenish yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
CankerUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Verticillium WiltUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your field maple from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed as it is fully hardy.
In containers: It is well suited for containers when kept as a bonsai, requiring a pot at least 30 cm wide.

Seed

Collect seeds in autumn.
Sow in pots outdoors to allow natural cold stratification.
Transplant seedlings in spring.

Plant in groups to create a naturalistic woodland edge effect.

Grows well with

English Oak · They share similar woodland habitat requirements.
Common Hazel · These species often grow together in natural hedgerows.

Similar species

Norway Maple · It has larger leaves and a more upright growth habit.

Science

Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in hedgerows and woodland edges where it provides shelter for many small birds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting site
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental tree, hedging, bonsai, urban screening

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a slow to moderate grower.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it makes an excellent bonsai subject.

Where the name comes from

The name campestre means of the fields, referring to its common occurrence in open rural landscapes.

Good to know

It is the only maple native to the United Kingdom.
The wood is very dense and was historically used for carving.
It is often used as a formal hedge because it responds well to pruning.

Keep your field maple growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.