Botanical name:                  Acer Campestre

Family:                                   Aceraceae

Common Name:                   Field Maple

Habitat and Distribution:

A woodland and hedgerow native of Britain, Europe and S.W. Asia. Thrives in rich, moisture retentive, well drained calcareous soils but is tolerant of most soil conditions and types.

Description:

A small deciduous tree, typically 4.5-9 m (15-30 ft), sometimes much larger up to 17 metres tall and 1.5 metres thick.

The dark green, irregularly lobed leaves, turn golden yellow to red in Autumn

Flowers are tiny, green and clustered in upright heads of 10 or so, in later April or early May. These give rise to hanging, winged fruits.

The bark is greyish-black with shallow ridges and furrows.

Timber:

Fine textured, lustrous, creamy white

Uses:

Timber usually in short lengths, Used for turning, domestic wood ware and furniture.

Figured wood produces decorative veneers for paneling and marquetry.

Used in middle ages for musical instruments

Satisfactory for firewood.

 

Location within the arboretum:

The tree can be found in the old entrance gate area. As you enter this area though the gate in the deer fence the tree can be found about 50 m away, on the left by the fence.

Furniture Makers Trees at The Arboretum - Kew at Castle Howard

September 2005

Autumn colour

Detail of Bark

Flowers

Cherry and Birds-eye Maple Architectural Desk/Mantel Clock

Maple kitchen items

Detail of grain