Field maple

Our only native (excluding Ireland) maple (Acer campestre). They can live for around 400 years.

Distribution

Throughout the UK and frequent on chalk and limestone soils.

Typical location

Hedgerows, parkland, fields, woodland and wood pasture.

Age

Field maple may live for 400 years, although 250 may be more typical on many sites.

Field maple may be considered chronologically ancient from 225 years onwards, although many will have ancient characteristics from around 175 years.

A veteran Field maple must be mature and have visible and significant decay features, regardless of its size.

A notable Field maple must be; mature, generally large for its species, a significant tree within the local landscape, or be of historical or cultural importance.

Size

Field maple can grow up to 4m plus in girth.

Record all mature ash with significant decay regardless of its size.

It’s important to rely on characteristics rather than size, which is an unreliable indication of age. Most chronologically ancient field maple will be greater than 2.5m in girth but if grown within woodland, or if historically managed as a pollard, may be no more than 1.25m in girth.

Ancient characteristics

• Major trunk cavities or progressive hollowing
• Decay holes
• Physical damage to trunk
• Bark loss
• Large quantities of dead wood in the canopy
• Crevices in the bark, under branches or on the root plate, sheltered from direct rainfall
• Fungal fruiting bodies (from heart rotting species)
• A high number of interdependent wildlife species
• Epiphytic plants

In addition the tree may have:

• A pollard form or show indications of past management
• Cultural or historic value
• A prominent position in the landscape