Project Finished: Naturalized Norway maple
Identify & Report
Norway maple, Acer platanoides, is a commonly planted boulevard and urban tree. It is also invasive. It is likely under-reported in natural spaces because its leaves look similar to sugar maple. As of June 2020 there were only a few dozen reports in MN. Please look for and report naturalized Norway maple.
Naturalized is a non-native plant that does not need human help to reproduce and maintain itself over time in an area where it is not native. When a species is under-reported it's hard to assess if and how that species is causing harm.
Norway maple was added to the MN Noxious Weed List in 2020, requiring point-of-sale labeling and restricting planting locations.
Images: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org (banner); Angela Gupta, UMN Extension (left).
Norway maple ID
Check out this great video to learn how to identify invasive Norway maple from native sugar maple.
When to report
Only report Norway maple in natural or unmanaged areas, like wood lots and forests. Do not report boulevard, yard or tended Norway maples.
White sap = Norway
White sap will appear at the base of the leaf on Norway maple but not native sugar maple. If you can reach the leaves this is a great ID tool! For more info visit the UMN Extension website.