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How to Grow Norway Maple 'Schwedleri'

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Norway Maple 'Schwedleri'

Acer platanoides 'Schwedleri'

tree

A stunning cultivar of Norway Maple featuring deep red-purple foliage in spring that gradually transitions to green with red veining by summer. This deciduous tree is prized for its ornamental foliage, dense canopy, and reliable performance in landscape settings. It grows to 40-50 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent shade and specimen tree.

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Example Norway Maple 'Schwedleri' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Norway Maple 'Schwedleri'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Norway Maple 'Schwedleri'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Norway Maple 'Schwedleri' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best color development
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Water: Moderate watering; water deeply and regularly during establishment (first 2-3 years). Established trees are drought-tolerant but perform better with consistent moisture during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging.
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Spacing: 480 inches
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Days to maturity:
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Planting depth: Plant with root ball at or slightly above ground level; backfill with amended soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil; tolerant of various soil types including clay and compacted soils
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or peat moss at planting Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

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Thrives best in zones 4-7; hardy to zone 3

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

1-2 years

Young tree with developing root system; foliage emerges deep red-purple in spring

Water regularly and deeply; apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base. Stake if needed in windy areas. Avoid heavy pruning.

2

Early Growth

2-5 years

Tree develops fuller canopy; spring foliage transitions from red-purple to green; fall color emerges as yellow-orange

Continue regular watering during dry periods. Remove competing central leaders if necessary. Prune lower branches for clearance if desired.

3

Juvenile Maturity

5-15 years

Strong upright growth; consistent red-purple spring color followed by deep green summer foliage with red petioles and veining

Water during extended drought. Remove dead or crossing branches. Shape canopy as needed. Watch for pests and diseases.

4

Full Maturity

15+ years

Large, dense, rounded canopy; excellent shade coverage; reliable annual color display

Monitor for disease and pest pressure. Prune selectively for structure and health. No supplemental watering needed except during severe drought.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hosta Shade-tolerant perennials Rhododendron Boxwood Japanese Fern

Avoid planting near:

Turf grass (difficult to grow beneath dense shade) Shallow-rooted plants competing for moisture

Common Pests

  • Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs

  • Horticultural oil spray; prune affected branches; monitor for heavy infestations

  • Remove affected branches; improve drainage; avoid wounding bark; no chemical cure available

  • Remove fallen infected leaves; improve air circulation; fungicide application rarely needed

  • Keep tree healthy to resist; remove dead branches; monitor trunk for exit holes

Uses

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Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Provides nesting sites for birds and insects; seeds serve as food for wildlife. Dense canopy offers shelter and shade for various animal species. [source]

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Shade and Climate Control

Household

Excellent specimen tree for landscapes requiring substantial summer shade. Dense growth reduces cooling costs and creates pleasant outdoor spaces. [source]

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Ornamental Foliage

Craft

Prized by landscape designers for distinctive red-purple spring color that transitions to deep green. Fall color changes to yellow-orange, providing year-round visual interest. [source]

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Street and Park Tree

Household

Widely used in urban landscaping and streetscapes due to hardiness, disease resistance, and tolerance of compacted soils and pollution. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not applicable—ornamental tree. Collect seeds (samaras/helicopters) in fall for propagation if desired.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Schwedleri' honors Carl Schwedler, a 19th-century German botanist and horticulturist who developed this cultivar in the 1860s.
  • 🌱 Norway Maple is not native to Norway but to central and eastern Europe; it was widely planted in North America and has become invasive in some regions by outcompeting native understory vegetation.
  • 🌱 The distinctive red-purple spring foliage gradually shifts to green as temperatures warm and chlorophyll increases, making it a dramatic seasonal color transformer.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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