Flower and Seed Production of Norway Maple Cultivars

Abstract

Mature specimens of the norway maple (Acer platanoides) and cultivars Columnare, Crimson King, Emerald Queen, Faasen's Black, Globosum, and Rubrum were evaluated over a 3-year period to determine flower and seed production and to understand their invasive potential using seed yields. Flower and seed yield data were collected each year and were used to estimate whether differences existed among cultivars and if variation in these traits occurred from year to year. For this study, it was observed that norway maple cultivars differed in annual flower and seed yield and that production varied from year to year. ‘Columnare’, ‘Emerald Queen’, and the species produced many seeds, which suggest that these plants may be problematic in landscapes that adjoin natural areas. In contrast, ‘Crimson King’, ‘Globosum’, ‘Faasen's Black’, and ‘Rubrum’ were relatively low in seed yield, which make them suitable alternatives for landscape use where invasiveness is a concern to surrounding communities.