field maple

Acer campestre

• Often shrub-like in hedges
   
• Can grow up to 20m tall
   
• Hard green-brown, fissured bark
   
• Leaves in April in opposite pairs, on a leaf stalk with milky sap
   
• The lobed leaves show striking autumn colours and are much smaller than the related sycamore
   
• Paired, winged fruits, like helicopter blades, are yellow-green tinged with crimson
   

Where found

The only native maple in the British Isles, found naturally in lowland England and Wales.
 

When to look for

• Flowers and leaves appear together April
   
• Leaves drop in November