Other Names:  Evergreen Maple

Description:

This evergreen or semi-evergreen variety from southeastern Europe produces stunning shiny green leaves that are leathery; one of the most drought and heat tolerant species in the genus, thriving on dry sunny hillsides

Ornamental Features

Cretan Maple is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has rich green deciduous foliage. The small glossy lobed leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Cretan Maple is a dense deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cretan Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Cretan Maple will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to dry locations, and dislikes excessive moisture. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is not originally from North America.