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Tree · Sapindaceae family

Field maple

Acer campestre

Full sun to part shade in a garden 3.5–6 m × 2.5–4 m to −29 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years3.5–6 m
in the wild up to 12 m
spacing 7 m
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to moistclayloamysandy

Watering

drought tolerant once establishedless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m8–12 mspread 6–9 m
8–12 m× spread 6–9 m

Plant 7 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Verticillium wilt

Verticillium
Medium riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

The source says: it is among the plants affected most commonly.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
Verticillium wiltdisease · throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weatherMedium risk

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

The source says: it is among the plants affected most commonly.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
More about this problem

Tar spot of maple

Rhytisma acerinum
Low riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Large black tar-like spots on leaves. It is only cosmetic and may cause slightly early leaf drop.

The source says: despite the conspicuous spots, it does very little damage to the tree.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves.
  2. By hand October to NovemberRake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.
Tar spot of mapledisease · summerLow risk

What you will see

Large black tar-like spots on leaves. It is only cosmetic and may cause slightly early leaf drop.

The source says: despite the conspicuous spots, it does very little damage to the tree.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves.
  2. By hand October to NovemberRake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.
More about this problem
Sources (5)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does field maple tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does field maple need?

At maturity 6–9 m wide and 8–12 m tall; recommended spacing 7 m.

Verticillium wilt — what can you do?

Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease. With mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.

Tar spot of maple — what can you do?

In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves. Rake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.

Sources (19) Checked 24 October 2026

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