Field Maple Pleached Tree (Acer Campestre)

Field Maple Pleached Tree Description

The Field Maple pleached tree is a charming and versatile deciduous tree that, when pleached, adds an elegant, structured form to gardens, streetscapes, and parklands. Known for its lobed, green leaves that turn a striking golden-yellow in autumn, this tree provides seasonal beauty, a formal canopy, and a range of environmental benefits. Its pleached form is ideal for creating defined vertical structures or hedging while allowing light and air to flow through.

In spring, the tree produces small, yellowish-green flowers that are not particularly ornamental but offer a valuable nectar source for early pollinators, such as bees. These are followed by winged seeds (samaras) in summer, which ripen and are dispersed by the wind. While the flowers and seeds are modest in appearance, the tree’s form and foliage are the primary visual highlights.

Pruning Advice

Pruning is essential to maintaining the neat, formal shape of a pleached tree and ensuring its overall health. Here are some key tips for pruning the Field Maple pleached tree:

Timing: The best time to prune the Field Maple is during the dormant period—in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This allows the tree to recover quickly and ensures healthy growth in the spring. Light pruning can also be done throughout the growing season to remove unwanted growth.

Shaping the Pleached Form: The primary goal of pruning a pleached tree is to maintain its clean, structured form. Regularly remove side shoots that disrupt the horizontal alignment of the branches, and cut back any new growth that is not part of the desired pleached framework. The aim is to create a clear trunk and a canopy of evenly spaced, horizontal branches.

Removing Dead or Diseased Wood: Always inspect the tree for dead, damaged, or diseased wood and remove it as soon as possible. This prevents disease spread and promotes a healthier, more vigorous tree. Be sure to clean pruning tools between cuts to prevent cross-contamination.

Encouraging Strong Growth: When pruning, focus on shaping the tree for vigorous, healthy growth. Remove any branches that are crowding or crossing to ensure good air circulation and avoid weak, spindly growth.

Annual Maintenance: Pruning the pleached canopy once a year is usually sufficient. However, always inspect the tree for signs of overgrown shoots or areas that require thinning, especially as the tree matures and its canopy becomes denser.

Further Information

Seasonal Interest: The golden yellow autumn foliage makes the Field Maple an attractive tree year-round. The striking colours contrast beautifully with the summer greenery, adding a seasonal dimension to any landscape.

Wildlife Friendly: Although the flowers are small and not showy, they attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The seeds that follow also provide food for birds, making the tree a valuable resource for local wildlife.

Urban Tolerance: The Field Maple is particularly suited to urban environments. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, including slightly alkaline, loamy, clay, and sandy soils, and is resistant to pollution, making it a great choice for city planting.

Aesthetic Appeal: The formal pleached shape creates a structured, neat appearance, ideal for creating privacy screens, hedging, or architectural features in the garden. It offers a refined, well-maintained look that suits both formal and informal landscapes.

Low Maintenance: Once established, the Field Maple is relatively low-maintenance. It is drought-tolerant in later years and can thrive in a variety of weather conditions, although it does appreciate regular watering, especially in dry spells. It can also withstand occasional pruning to maintain its pleached form.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £7.99 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £14.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £60 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.