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Acer monspessulanum

Acer monspessulanum

Montpellier maple, French maple

Description

Acer monspessulanum (Montpellier maple) is widespread throughout the Mediterranean region, the Balkans and in a range from North Africa to the Middle East. The tree was first described in 1753 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. As a member of the Mediterranean scrub, the Montpellier maple grows in dry and rocky habitats with, amongst others, Carpinus orientalis, Fraxinus ornus and Prunus mahaleb. The Montpellier maple is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree. In the wild, it usually develops into a characteristic multi-stem shrub due to grazing and pollarding. As a slow-growing tree, Acer monspessulanum can reach a height of approximately six to ten metres with an elegant egg-shaped crown up to six metres across.

The 3-lobed leaves are small, glossy green and similar to the foliage of Acer campestre. As a result of adapting to the tough growing conditions they have a leathery and slightly waxy texture. The foliage changes from green to stunning yellow-orange in the autumn. The flowers are yellow-green and appear before or as the new bronze foliage emerges. The fruits are winged samaras which have a reddish colour as they develop, and later in the season turn green-brown and are distributed by the wind.  The bark is greyish brown, rather corky and peels off in smallish sections. The trunk is generally twisted and knotty. The bushy habit and dense twigs provide nesting opportunities for many birds and insects.

Acer monspessulanum can put up with dry summers and heavy rainfall during the winter period provided that it is planted in a well-drained soil. This makes Acer monspessulanum an excellent choice as a future, healthy and long-lived tree in streets, parks and gardens. As long as it is planted in full sun, the Montpellier maple is not fussy either about having a chalky or acidic soil. Nevertheless, it is sensitive to road salt. This tree can also be used as an alternative hedging or topiary plant in warmer areas and even responds well to heavy pruning once its roots are firmly established.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees characteristic trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden small garden patio cemetery countryside ecological zone

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

eco planting landscape planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

6 - 10 m

Width

4 - 6 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds nectar value 5 pollen value 5

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Acer monspessulanum? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

Seasonal colours

Acer monspessulanum seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

raceme striking pendulous

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

green

Leaves

deciduous small polished lobate

Autumn colour

yellow-orange

Fruits

Fruit colour

red-brown

Fruits

striking winged

Bark

Bark colour

grey-black

Bark

slightly furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

shallow central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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