Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen’

Experience the impressive beauty of Acer platanoides, the magnificent Norway Maple that brings exceptional shade, vibrant spring flowers, and reliable autumn colour to larger gardens with its robust character and commanding presence. This outstanding deciduous tree offers remarkable qualities—masses of bright yellow-green flowers that appear in conspicuous upright clusters before the leaves emerge in spring creating cheerful early season displays and providing valuable nectar for pollinators, large handsome palmate leaves measuring 10-15cm across with five pointed lobes in bright green creating dense canopy and excellent shade throughout summer, reliable golden-yellow to orange autumn colour that illuminates the garden before winter, and vigorous adaptable nature tolerating urban pollution, exposure, wide range of soil types including clay and chalk, and challenging conditions making this one of the toughest and most reliable large trees, making this one of the finest choices for creating substantial shade, seasonal interest, and robust beauty for gardens, estates, parks, and street plantings.

Throughout spring and summer, this captivating tree displays its characteristic large palmate leaves measuring 10-15cm across and equally wide with five (occasionally seven) pointed lobes and prominent veins in bright fresh green, creating dense, lush foliage and substantial shade. The leaves are held on long stalks and exude milky sap when broken—a key identification feature distinguishing this from similar maples. The overall effect is bold and substantial. But the tree’s first display appears in spring (April-May) when the bare branches become adorned with masses of bright yellow-green flowers measuring 1cm across arranged in conspicuous upright clusters (corymbs) before the leaves emerge. The flowers create cheerful spring colour and provide important early nectar for bees and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by the characteristic winged seeds (samaras) arranged in pairs with wings spreading almost horizontally—these ripen to brown and spin like helicopters as they fall, delighting children. In autumn (October-November), the foliage transforms into beautiful shades of golden-yellow, sometimes with orange tones, creating reliable seasonal displays before falling to reveal the smooth grey bark with shallow fissures. The broad rounded crown creates impressive stature.

Native to much of Europe from Norway to the Caucasus (but not Britain—despite the name), Acer platanoides has been widely planted for centuries as a robust ornamental and shade tree. The species name ‘platanoides’ means plane-like, referring to the leaf shape resembling Platanus (plane trees). Exceptionally hardy, vigorous, and remarkably adaptable, this maple thrives in British conditions, tolerating urban pollution, exposure, salt spray, compacted soils, and a wide range of soil types including heavy clay and chalk. More tolerant of difficult conditions than many maples. Fast-growing when young, establishing quickly and providing shade within 10-15 years. The dense canopy creates substantial shade—excellent for cooling but can suppress grass and underplanting beneath. Long-lived (150-250 years).

Create stunning compositions by planting as substantial specimen trees in large gardens, estates, parklands, or open spaces where the impressive size, dense canopy, and autumn colour can be fully appreciated. Exceptional as shade trees for large lawns, avenue plantings where the uniform growth creates formal impact, or street trees where the tolerance of urban pollution and compacted soils is valuable. Works beautifully in naturalistic landscapes, woodland gardens, or as commanding focal points. The dense shade makes this ideal for creating cool seating areas. NOT suitable for small gardens—this is a large, vigorous tree that needs substantial space. Plant where the spring flowers, summer shade, and autumn colour can be enjoyed and where there is ample room for the mature size.

Planting: Space trees 12-15m apart for avenue plantings, or allow 15-18m for specimen placement to accommodate the large mature spread—this tree needs significant space. Plant bare-root trees from November to March (ideal), or container-grown specimens year-round. 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. Choose positions with ample space for the broad rounded crown to develop. Not suitable for small or medium gardens.

Soil Preparation: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil with pH 5.5-8.0. Tolerates a remarkably wide range of soil types including clay, loam, sand, and acidic to alkaline conditions including chalk and limestone. Prefers deep, moisture-retentive, fertile conditions but adapts well to average and even poor soils. Dislikes waterlogged sites. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, exposure, and challenging conditions better than most large trees. Best growth and autumn colour occur in full sun to partial shade with reasonable soil and consistent moisture during establishment.

Container Growing: Not suitable for container growing due to large size, vigorous growth, extensive root system, and need for space to develop the characteristic broad rounded crown and substantial stature. This is a tree for planting in the ground in large gardens, estates, parklands, or street plantings where it can reach its full impressive potential and provide the excellent shade and seasonal interest.

Seasonal Care: Requires minimal pruning—the naturally rounded form develops without intervention. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late autumn or winter when dormant. If formative pruning is needed, do so when young to establish a strong central leader and well-spaced branches. Avoid pruning in late winter or early spring as maples can bleed sap profusely—prune in late summer to autumn or mid-winter. Can be pollarded if needed for size control in street plantings, though this is labour-intensive. Apply slow-release balanced fertiliser in early spring if desired. Mulch annually with organic matter. Water during dry spells in the first 5-7 years until established. Generally pest and disease resistant, though can occasionally be affected by aphids (producing honeydew), tar spot (black spots on leaves—cosmetic only), or Verticillium wilt. Generally robust and trouble-free.

Propagation: Can be grown from seed collected from ripe samaras in autumn, though seedlings take many years to reach substantial size and flowering. Seeds require cold stratification over winter. Sow in autumn in pots outdoors—germination occurs in spring. Seedlings grow relatively quickly once established. Selected cultivars (such as ‘Crimson King’, ‘Drummondii’, ‘Globosum’) are propagated by grafting onto A. platanoides rootstock. Home gardeners seeking shade trees within reasonable timeframes should purchase nursery-grown trees of good size.

This robust beauty is absolutely impressive—one of the toughest and most reliable large trees available! Those bright yellow-green spring flowers create cheerful early displays and provide vital nectar for pollinators. Large handsome leaves create excellent dense shade, reliable golden-yellow autumn colour, and that vigorous adaptable nature tolerates urban pollution, clay soils, exposure, and challenging conditions brilliantly. Fast-growing, exceptionally hardy, long-lived. CRITICAL: needs substantial space—this is a large vigorous tree for estates, parks, and large properties. Perfect for creating substantial shade and seasonal beauty in challenging conditions!