Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’

Experience the dramatic elegance of Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’, the stunning Columnar Norway Maple that brings exceptional year-round colour, space-efficient vertical form, and bold architectural presence to your garden with its deep purple-red foliage and naturally narrow habit. This outstanding ornamental maple offers remarkable visual impact—a naturally narrow, upright columnar form perfect for restricted spaces, avenues, and formal plantings where width is limited, large palmate leaves in rich deep crimson-purple that hold their intense colour throughout the entire growing season, spectacular spring display when clusters of yellow-green flowers appear before the leaves creating beautiful colour contrast, and beautiful autumn transformation when the foliage intensifies to shades of orange-red before falling, making this one of the most striking and versatile purple-leaved trees for creating dramatic vertical accent, formal structure, and bold colour in gardens, estates, and urban landscapes.

Throughout spring and summer, this captivating tree displays its characteristic large palmate leaves measuring 10-15cm across with 5-7 pointed lobes and serrated edges. The foliage emerges in spring in brilliant crimson-red, maturing to deep crimson-purple that holds remarkably well throughout the entire season—one of the best purple-leaved maples for consistent colour retention. The naturally narrow, upright branching creates a distinctive columnar silhouette that remains compact and formal without pruning—typically reaching only 3-5m wide even at maturity whilst growing 8-12m tall. In mid to late spring, before or just as the leaves emerge, the tree becomes adorned with clusters of small yellow-green flowers that create a beautiful colour contrast against the emerging crimson foliage and provide early nectar for bees. The dense foliage creates a bold column of deep purple throughout summer. In autumn, the leaves transform into shades of orange-red and bronze before falling, and winged seeds (samaras) develop, adding interest.

Native to Europe, Acer platanoides is the Norway Maple, though despite its name it’s found across Europe including parts of Britain. ‘Crimson Sentry’ is a selected cultivar bred for its exceptional narrow, upright form and deep purple-red foliage. Exceptionally hardy and adaptable, this maple thrives in British conditions, tolerating urban pollution, exposure, compacted soils, and a wide range of soil types whilst providing bold colour and architectural form. The narrow columnar habit makes this ideal for restricted spaces, avenues, and formal plantings where traditional large maples would be too wide. More vigorous and faster-growing than many purple-leaved maples, establishing quickly and providing impact within a few years.

Create stunning compositions by planting as magnificent avenue trees where the uniform columnar habit and deep purple foliage create dramatic formal impact—perfect for driveways, pathways, or street plantings. Exceptional as vertical accent specimens in gardens, estates, or formal landscapes where height and bold colour are desired without excessive width. Works beautifully flanking entrances, framing buildings, or creating formal allées. Magnificent in rows for contemporary formal designs or as bold focal points in mixed borders. The narrow form makes this ideal for urban gardens, courtyards, or restricted spaces. Plant where the deep purple foliage can be backlit by sun for maximum drama, or combine with silver, lime-green, or golden foliage for striking colour contrasts.

Planting: Space trees 4-5m apart for avenue plantings to allow the narrow crowns to just touch at maturity, or allow 5-6m for specimen placement. Plant bare-root trees from November to March, or container-grown specimens year-round (autumn or early spring is ideal). Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and incorporate organic matter. Plant at the same depth as the nursery soil mark. Stake securely for the first 3-5 years. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Soil Preparation: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, sand, and moderately acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Prefers moisture-retentive, fertile conditions but adapts remarkably well to poorer soils. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, and challenging conditions better than most ornamental trees. Best colour and growth occur in full sun—partial shade produces less intense purple colouration with foliage tending more towards bronze-green.

Container Growing: Not suitable for long-term container growing due to size, vigorous growth, and extensive root system. Young specimens can be grown temporarily in very large containers (minimum 80cm diameter) using soil-based compost for 2-3 years, but should be planted out for best long-term health, characteristic columnar form development, and deep purple colour intensity.

Seasonal Care: Requires minimal pruning—the naturally narrow, upright columnar form develops without intervention. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter when dormant. Remove any low branches if desired to create clear trunk and showcase the columnar form. Avoid heavy pruning as this can stimulate excessive sap bleeding and weaken the tree. Remove any green-leaved reversions immediately—cut back to purple-leaved growth. Apply slow-release balanced fertiliser in early spring if desired. Mulch annually with organic matter. Water during dry spells, especially in the first 3-5 years until well established. Generally pest and disease resistant.

Propagation: Cannot be propagated from seed as this is a selected cultivar that will not come true from seed and may revert to green. Professional propagation is by grafting onto Acer platanoides rootstock. Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings can be attempted but success is variable and requires specialist facilities. Home gardeners should purchase nursery-grown grafted specimens for guaranteed quality, reliable narrow columnar form, and characteristic deep crimson-purple colour.

This dramatic beauty is absolutely stunning—that deep crimson-purple foliage creates such bold, striking impact and holds its colour beautifully all season! The naturally narrow, upright columnar form is perfect for restricted spaces and creates magnificent formal avenues. Those yellow-green spring flowers against the emerging crimson leaves are gorgeous. Fast-growing, tough as nails, and tolerates urban conditions brilliantly. A bold column of purple perfection!