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The Field Maple is a lovely small tree, often used around fields
for making dense compact hedges. When I moved onto this site I needed to plant windbreaks
as fast as possible and I chose Field Maple planted in rows across the site. The choice was
based in it's practicality and economy - I paid 12p each for these as 30cm seedlings. Through the years they have done an excellent job in controlling the wind, but last year I finally had to accept that this row at least, had to go. They are being replaced with terribly stylish Magnolias that are looking a bit miffed at being planted where they still feel a stiff breeze, but they will get over it. In years to come I will have a row of fat smug Magnolias here and however magnificent they are I will always miss the rather wild and lumpy Field Maples that made it possible. They have cost me a lot more as well. Trees and Shrubs online says: "Acer campestre is one of Europe’s most widespread maple species, and the only one to reach as far west as Britain and Ireland. It extends south to North Africa and east to parts of western Asia. In Britain it is often seen in ancient woodlands and hedgelines and is a key component of many British countryside landscapes – modern as well as ancient. Remnant wild specimens form part of the maple collection at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire. The timber is harder than that of Acer pseudoplatanus and if large enough pieces are available can be used for similar purposes (Savill 2019). The species is also one of the most adaptable and undemanding of all maple species in cultivation (Gregory 2011), and is one of the best British native species for autumn colour, often turning bright yellow. It does well on most soils though prefers to grow on chalk in warmer areas (Gregory 2011). It is also tolerant of pollution, lending itself to widespread use as an urban tree, typically in the guise of one of the many named cultivars. It makes a neatly shaped tree at its best, though may also be little more than a shrub, it is also well used for hedging." |
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| 9th January 2010 | ||
