Acer campestre/Field Maple Species Guide
Acer campestre/Field Maples are highly recommended for use as bonsai though they lack the delicacy of Acer palmatum.
Ease of Cultivation 10/10 Ease and Suitablity for Bonsai Styling 7/10
Acer campestre is the only truly native maple in Europe often used for bonsai. It is a fast growing tree often found sold for use as hedging material.
The Field Maple has 3-lobed, dark-green leaves, turning bright yellow and orange in Autumn.
Position Outdoors only. Full sun throughout the growing season. Field Maples have much stronger leaves than Acer palmatum and are much less likely to suffer sun or wind scorch.
Very tolerant of frost but some frost protection is required when temperatures drop below -10°C
Repotting Every two to three years as buds extend. Developed Field Maples are repotted less frequently in an effort to reduce leaf-size and the coarseness of new growth.
Field Maples are very tolerant of heavy root pruning.
Pruning Standard pruning for deciduous bonsai. Can be defoliated/leaf cut at Midsummer. Do not hard prune in Spring as heavy wounds will bleed.
Propogation Sow seed outside as soon as ripe in Autumn. Softwood cuttings in Summer, very easily air-layered in late-Spring; branches/trunks of 3-4" or more will root with ease.
Pests and Diseases Aphids, mites, scale insects, caterpillars and leaf scorch.
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