In 2016, scientists found that sycamore seeds and saplings are responsible for sudden pasture death (pasture myopathy) in horses. Since then, all maple species have been under general suspicion of being poisonous to humans and animals. Find out here whether this assumption applies to the maple tree.
Norway maple species are non-toxic
Ball maple is suitable for the family garden
A team of researchers from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands wanted to know if the toxin hypoglycine A is found in the three most common maple species. Since the spherical maple is a refined variant of the Norway maple, the following findings of the scientists also apply to the popular house tree:
- Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus): very poisonous
- Field maple (Acer campestre): non-toxic
- Norway maple (Acer platanoides): non-toxic
Whether and to what extent sycamore maple poses a risk of poisoning for humans has not yet been scientifically investigated. In fact, the ingredient has killed a multitude of horses and donkeys. No toxin has been detected in Norway maple and its magnificent ball cultivars Globosum, Crimson Sentry and other grafts.