Native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, Acer platanoides, commonly known as the Norway Maple, was introduced to North America in the late 18th century as an ornamental tree for its beautiful shape and foliage, especially its fall color. However, it has since escaped cultivation and naturalized in parts of the United States and Canada.
The Norway Maple grows quickly and casts dense shade, which can inhibit the growth of other plants beneath it. Its shallow root system can also outcompete other plants for water and nutrients. Moreover, it reproduces readily from its abundant seed production, allowing it to spread and form dense stands that outcompete native vegetation.
The Norway Maple is listed as an invasive species in several states in the U.S., particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, and it’s also invasive in parts of Canada.
According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.
The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.
A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Genus | Acer |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Native Plants | United States |
Ralf Wimmer, Flickr
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Genus | Acer |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Native Plants | United States |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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