About this tree
Native to Europe and western Asia, Acer campestre is a middle-sized deciduous tree often found in hedgerows and lowland woods. It typically grows to a height of up to 15 m and is known for its distinctively shaped leaves, which turn a striking yellow in autumn. In spring, its inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its dense foliage offers excellent shelter and nesting sites, particularly for songbirds. Field maple is resilient in poor soils and is valued for its tolerance to pollution and pruning, making it a common sight along avenues. Furthermore, field maple supports a variety of invertebrates and is therefore a crucial element in traditional woodland ecosystems in Europe. The tree produces paired winged seeds (samaras), also known as helicopter seeds due to their gently rotating downward flight when shed from the tree or carried by the wind. Field maples have traditionally provided both food and raw materials for crafts. They exude a milky sap when the bark is cut, which can be used to create a syrup with a lower sugar content than that produced by sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Field maple wood, though small in volume, is prized for fine turning, carving, and in particular for making string instruments.