Acer platanoides Lorbergii - Norway Maple

Acer platanoides Lorbergii, also known as Acer platanoides 'Palmatifidum' is a cultivar of the Norway Maple, a medium-sized tree with slow growth. Its round to ovoid crown is composed of deeply cut, highly decorative and delicate light green leaves. They turn golden yellow and then red in autumn. Flowering and fruiting are rare in this variety. The Norway Maple is not demanding in terms of soil, as long as it is well-draining and deep enough to accommodate its powerful root system.

Native to the Caucasus region and widely spread in Europe from Scandinavia to Spain and eastwards to Russia, Acer platanoides is a large deciduous tree that grows rapidly and is often associated with oak, lime, and elm trees in upland forests. It can live up to 200 years. Acer platanoides var. lorbergii, with its single trunk and upright, spreading, and wide habit, reaches a height of 10 to 13 m with a spread of 8 m. Its foliage is deciduous. The leaves are opposite, palmate, 10 to 20 cm long, with 5 to 7 sharply pointed, toothed, and deeply cut lobes. The leaves, carried by long petioles, are smooth and glossy. The flowering, in the form of corymbs of tiny yellow-green flowers, is particularly nectar-rich. It is followed, in June, by 3 to 5cm long, winged fruits called samaras. The bark of this tree is grey-brown, almost smooth, with numerous shallow longitudinal fissures.

Acer platanoides Lorbergii is an easy-to-grow tree, suitable for all types of soil as long as it is deep and not too wet. It is well-suited for urban environments. Its good resistance to bad weather makes it interesting as a windbreak tree. In medium to large gardens, it brings a rounded, slightly loose silhouette and ornamental foliage, which can be highlighted when planted alone in the middle of a lawn.