Field Maple, Hedge maple
Acer campestre
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are about 120-150 Acer species.
Where it is found
It is a cool temperate plant. A plant native to the northern hemisphere. It prefers well drained alkaline soils. It requires an open sunny position. It can withstand frost but is damaged by drought. Temperate. It suits hardiness zones 3-8. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe (country/location of origin), Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, North Africa, North America, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The powdered inner bark of this tree has been used to make bread. The sap is eaten fresh or frozen by children. The immature fruit are sucked as a snack.
Edible parts
Bark, sap, fruit
How it is grown
It is grown by seed. The seedlings should stay in a nursery for 2 years before transplanting.
Its other names
Local names
Cat Oak, Dog Oak, Juhar, Klen, Kokasfa, Kokastorua, Maklen, Maplin Tree, Whistlewood, Whitty Bush