Bareroot Acer campestre (Field Maple)

A wonderfully versatile native tree that brings year-round interest to any garden. In spring, fresh green lobed leaves emerge, maturing to a rich dark green through summer before transforming into a spectacular display of golden yellows and warm oranges in autumn. Particularly valued for hedging, it responds exceptionally well to regular pruning, forming dense screens that provide excellent privacy and wind protection. Its tolerance of urban pollution, coastal conditions, and a wide range of soil types makes it one of the most adaptable hedging choices. The corky bark adds winter interest, while its compact growth habit (typically reaching 4-8m if unpruned) makes it suitable for smaller spaces. Wildlife-friendly, it provides nectar for pollinators and its seeds are eaten by birds. When allowed to grow as a tree, it develops an attractive rounded crown, making it equally valuable as a specimen plant.

Family of Trees: Sapindaceae

Habit: Tree, Suitable for Hedging

Growth Rate: 30 to 60 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-20°C, hardy to -20°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Non-toxic to Humans and Pets

Flowers or Berries: Small Greenish Flowers, Winged Fruits

Hardiness: H5-H6 (Very Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)