Acer monspessulanum

Montpellier maple, French maple

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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

multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

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

Pavement

none

Planting concepts

eco planting landscape planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped

Crown structure

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

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Photos

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standard tree

feathered

multi-stem umbrella

flowers

leaves

fruits

autumn leaves

bark

Seasonal colours

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

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

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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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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Acer monspessulanum

Montpellier maple, French maple

Description

Types of planting

Tree types

Topiary on stem

Use

Location

Pavement

Planting concepts

Characteristics

Crown shape

Crown structure

Height

Width

Winter hardiness zone

Aspects

Wind

Soil

Nutrient level

Soil moisture level

Light requirements

pH range

Host plant/forage plant

Extreme environments

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Place order or further information?

Photos

Seasonal colours

Flowers

Flowers

Flower colour

Flowering period

Leaves

Leaf colour

Leaves

Autumn colour

Fruits

Fruit colour

Fruits

Bark

Bark colour

Bark

Twigs

Twig colour

Twigs

Root system

Root system

For and by green professionals

TreeEbb

Winter hardiness

FIND OUT MORE

CONTACT

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