Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 12m
Eventual Spread: 8m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Sapindaceae
Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ is a small / medium sized deciduous tree with a compact bushy crown. Its yellow/ green leaves are opposite, palmate with five blunt lobes, up to 10cm long and 8cm broad. Its leaves turn bright yellow in autumn before they fall. Its grey/ light brown bark is finely fissured. Its yellow/ green flowers are small, produced in corymbs in erect cluster and appear at the same time as its leave appear. Its green fruit is a winged samara which is up to 3cm long.
The species Acer campestre, commonly known as Field Maple, Common Maple, or Hedge Maple, is native to most of Europe (including the UK) and south east Asia. It is very shade tolerant and vigorous in the early stage of its life, once it starts producing seed it requires more light and growth slows.
The etymology of the binomial name Acer is derived from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Campestre is from Latin meaning ‘of the plains’.
The landscape architect may find Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ useful as an attractive specimen tree. It may also be planted as an ornamental hedge.
Ecologically, Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to alkali.
Acer campestre ‘Postelense’ requires little maintenance. It will tolerate hard pruning.
