Norway Maple

Small to medium sized tree on a straight trunk with dense rounded to oblong crown that produces deep shade. The leaf is long slightly wider than long with moderately divided lobes with many small drawn-out points. The fruit is long paired samaras that make an obtuse angle.  

Distribution: Native to Europe, Turkey and Iran.  Norway maple was introduced to North America in the early 20th century and it is now an invasive species because of how it thrives in the shade. This allows it to out-compete the North American native sugar maple.  Its canopy is denser than sugar maple, so fewer wildflowers are able to grow.  

Uses: Often grown in cities due to its tolerance to shade and pollution.  The wood is often used as a source of lumber and raw material to make furniture.