Purple Leaved Norway Maple Acer platanoides Crimson King
Description & features
British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
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Bare root guideSize and quantity
All prices include VAT. As trees are living and growing, on occasion the height may exceed the range indicated above.
All prices include VAT. As trees are living and growing, on occasion the height may exceed the range indicated above.
All prices include VAT. As trees are living and growing, on occasion the height may exceed the range indicated above.
All prices include VAT. As trees are living and growing, on occasion the height may exceed the range indicated above.

British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Product description
ACER PLATANOIDES CRIMSON KING – Crimson Leaved Maple
Characteristics
A ruby red to purple leaved cultivar of the Norway Maple, Acer platanoides Crimson King is a fast growing medium sized tree. If given the space it can grow to more than 15m (50ft) in height with an oval shaped crown that can almost be as wide as it is tall. The most noticeable and striking feature are its stunning deep purple 5 lobed leaves, that are of classic maple shape. It is a great tree for screening and contrasts well with trees of bright foliage such as Acer platanoides 'Drummondii', and for this reason these two trees are often planted together.
Where to grow
It requires full sun or light shade and will grow on most soil types, with the exception of overly acidic sandy soils. It is a very hardy tree that will tolerate a lot of wind. Also a good choice for cities as it copes well with pollution.
Did you know?
This cultivar was found in Belgium in 1937 when it was selected from a crop of seedlings grown from the tree Acer platanoides ‘Schwedleri’ (Yet another selection from Norway Maple.)
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Broad headed
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Leaf
- Purple/Red
- Foliage
- Dense
- Large Leaves
- Flower colour
- Red
- Flowering month
- March
- Other
- Good for Windy sites
- Good at altitude
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- Garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Country/Farmland
Features
- Mature height
- Medium - 10-15 metres
- Spread
- 5-10 metres
- Shape / habit
- Broad headed
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Soil type
- Clay
- Chalk/Limestone
- Light sandy
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Easy
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Deciduous
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Leaf
- Purple/Red
- Foliage
- Dense
- Large Leaves
- Flower colour
- Red
- Flowering month
- March
- Other
- Good for Windy sites
- Good at altitude
- Uses
- Screening
- Parkland Tree
- Garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Country/Farmland
Aftercare
Pruning Acer Platanoides Crimson King
The Crimson King cultivar of Acer platanoides requires very little maintenance. Once you have an established tree, you need only remove the damaged and diseased stems. Remove these fully by cutting the stems flush with the main stem.
What time of year should I prune? Prune in winter (November to January) when the plant is dormant. Maples tend to bleed if pruned at other times, which can be unsightly.
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.
- Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
- Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
- Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
By Sue Faire on 17/02/2014
I already have a young field maple and an ideal location/conditions for Acer Platanoides Crimson King. My only concern is the minimum distance that should be allowed between the two. Could you advize please?
Regards,
Sue
By Simon on 18/02/2014
Hello Sue,
It really depends on if you are happy for the trees to grow into each other or not. If you don’t mind the crowns joining you could plant 3/4m apart. But if you want to keep them separate you would need to put them 10m-15m away from each other.
I hope this helps,
Simon
By Diane king on 29/03/2015
I have a 30 year old Crimson King acer and we have a house recently built in the garden next door where the branches are overhanging near the property, they have written to us today asking us to have it trimmed but I don’t think this time of year is right as it has new growth, can you advise me please?
Many thanks
D King
By Simon on 01/05/2015
Hello Diane,
Acer’s like to be pruned in dry settled weather so I would suggest doing it in the next hot spell that we have,
Kind regards,
Simon
By Mike on 14/05/2015
Hi there. We’re looking for a red / purple leafed acer that is slow growing and doesn’t grow too big, say 3m. Can you please advise? Thx Mike
By Simon on 18/05/2015
Hello Mike,
If it is a smaller Acer you are after it would need to be a japanese type. We have a range here http://www.chewvalleytrees.co.uk/products/category/acer-palmatum-japanese-maple I would look at the Crimson Queen but it is worth noting they don’t like strong winds.
By Aldo on 04/05/2016
Can this tree thrive in a 70x70x70cm pot?
By Simon on 20/05/2016
Hello Aldo,
As Acer Crimson King is a tree that wants to grow to about 50ft eventually, I think you would find it hard to look after in a pot, long-term. The Japanese maples are small and slow-growing, so this would be a better option for a container.
By Terry Twitchin on 23/07/2016
Hi…I have several what I believe are Crimson King maples growing on our property. However they were planted very close to the lot line where there are
several large, mature trees. I would like to transplant some of these trees since they don’t seem to be thriving in the their current location. Would it be advisable to try & move them to a better location. The trees are at least 5-6 years old, & approximately 6 ft. in height.
By Simon on 27/07/2016
Hello Terry,
You could certainly try transplanting. Winter is the best time.
By Oswold on 29/06/2021
Hi there,
I’ve heard due to the shade and shallow root structures, that even grass can struggle to grow under this. If grown in a fairly open area not surrounded by other trees would this still be the case?
By Simon on 30/06/2021
Hello Oswold,
With their lovely large dark leaves, these trees will cast a heavy shade as they grow bigger. Have a look at the direction of the sun to see where you will have the heaviest shading. You may be able to improve the lawn’s chances by introducing some grass-seed for a shade lawn. They do also have quite shallow roots - this may not become a real problem for the mower for another few decades.