As a house tree, the maple is a well-rounded thing in many respects. This profile with useful information will show you why this is the case. Useful tips show the connection between ecological characteristics and care of an Acer platanoides 'Globosum'.
The maple is a cultivated form of the Norway maple
Profile of a representative character
A striking silhouette with a compact spherical crown and moderate height is not intended for mother nature's tree population. Rather, the globe maple 'Globosum' is a refinement that was created at the request of many creative hobby gardeners. The following profile summarizes all important information:
- Name: ball maple, ball maple
- Refined cultivated form of Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
- Deciduous tree with spectacular fall colors
- Growth height: 350 to 600 cm
- Crown diameter: 110 cm (with a trunk circumference of 20 cm) to 600 cm (with a trunk circumference of 60 cm)
- Annual growth: 15 to 20, rarely up to 40 cm
- Root system: Cardiac root with pronounced shallow root growth
- Leaf shape: palmate, 5 to 7 lobes, up to 20 cm wide
- Flowers: yellowish-green in umbel-like racemes from April to May
- Winter hardiness: slightly sensitive to frost when young, later completely frost-resistant
- Toxicity: non-toxic
- Use: provides shade, front garden tree, bordering avenues and driveways
The gradually flattening spherical shape of the crown over the years is typical. Gardeners can counteract this process with a targeted topiary in autumn.
Ecology dictates cultivation - tips for care
As a cultivated form of the native Norway maple, fundamental characteristics of the pure species have been preserved, while other attributes have been lost. The following key points summarize the influence of ecology on cultivation:
- Sunny to semi-shady position in normal garden soil
- Cut back only if necessary due to the significantly slower growth compared to the pure species
- Light winter protection recommended in the year of planting
The spherical maple owes its high esteem as a house tree to a combination of a harmonious crown shape, moderate growth and undemanding care. Apart from regular watering when it is dry, the one-time application of organic fertilizer in autumn covers the nutrient requirements.
tips
Underplanting a maple tastefully is not an easy task. The numerous, shallow roots leave little room for planting ground cover and small perennials. It's a good thing that a globosum doesn't take it amiss if you remove interfering roots, as long as they are no more than a third of the strands near the surface.