Acer campestre 'Streetwise'

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Medium

Dry Soil: Medium

Lime: High

Our native Acer campestre, traditionally celebrated for its role in hedgerows and expansive rural landscapes, has not always been the ideal candidate for inner-city urban planting, due to its unpredictable canopy. Recognising the myriad of benefits of our native trees, former Hillier Trees director, Hossein Arshadi, continued Hillier’s legacy by pioneering the ‘Streetwise’ range, specifically designed for urban environments.

Although the term ‘Streetwise’ was introduced only two decades ago, the concept has been in development for over 40 years. For Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’ we meticulously selected five distinct Field Maples from our field production, each characterised by pronounced upright branches. These selected specimens underwent annual propagation, allowing us to monitor key attributes such as exceptional autumn colours, pest and disease resistance, and desirable canopy shape and growth patterns. After nearly two decades of rigorous evaluation, Cultivar Number 4 emerged as the premier choice, earning the distinguished title of Hillier Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’.

Tailored for urban settings, Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’ exhibits remarkable resilience and adaptability. Its uniform, upright canopy is ideal for high-traffic areas like car parks, central reservations, and pathways. This cultivar thrives in a variety of soil conditions, form well-drained to waterlogged, and demonstrates both drought resistance and the ability to handle challenging urban environments. Additionally, as a native species, ‘Streetwise’ provides valuable habitat for local wildlife, including bees and butterflies, blending ecological benefits with its practical urban applications.

Visit our Useful Resources for in-depth guides

Discover guides to help you with specifying your trees, caring for your trees and understanding the weights and dimensions of trees.

Useful Resources

Size

Medium

7m high x 4m wide after 25 years

Environment

Ideally suited for environments frequently visited by vehicles and pedestrians. its uniform, upright canopy provides excellent shade and structure, making it an ideal choice for locations such as car parks, central reservations, and pathways. The trees robust nature and compact form ensure it can handle the rigours of urban settings while enhancing the aesthetic and functional appal of high-traffic areas .

Canopy

Characterised by its uniform and upright form. This cultivar maintains a consistently tidy and organised appearance, with branches arranged in a well-defined, vertical alignment. The even distribution of foliage enhances the tree's structured look, making it an ideal choice for creating a neat and orderly visual impact in urban landscapes and formal settings.

Foliage

Leaves are a rich, deep emerald green throughout the growing season. As autumn arrives, these leaves undergo a striking transformation, displaying the most spectacular gold hues of any native tree. This vibrant autumn display enhances the tree's visual appeal, offering a brilliant contrast to the changing landscape.

Clonal

Acer campestre 'Streetwise' is a cultivar developed and nurtured at Hillier Nurseries by former director Hossein Arshadi. This carefully bred tree maintains all the desirable qualities of the native Field Maple while offering a consistently uniform and upright canopy with a dominant central leader. The crown retains a pear-drop shape throughout its maturity, providing a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing form. Its reliable structure and elegant shape make 'Streetwise' an excellent choice for innovative urban and commercial planting applications.

Resilience

Remarkably resilient and versatile. This cultivar thrives in a range of soil conditions, from well-drained to waterlogged environments. Its adaptability extends to drought resistance, making it capable of withstanding extended dry periods without significant stress. This robust nature allows 'Streetwise' to excel in diverse and challenging settings, ensuring its continued performance and health in both urban and rural landscapes.

Available As:

Semi-Mature, Super Semi-Mature

FAQs

What does 'Streetwise' mean?

‘Streetwise’ is a specially developed cultivar of a tree, designed by Hillier Trees to be particularly suited for urban environments. ‘Streetwise’ trees typically feature a uniform, upright canopy and resilience and adaptability in urban locations.

What does the canopy of Acer campestre 'Streetwise' look like?

The canopy of ‘Streetwise’ is uniform and upright, providing a neatly structured appearance. It features a dense and organised shape that remains consistent throughout the tree’s growth, making it perfect for areas with high pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

How does Acer campestre 'Streetwise' handle urban conditions?

‘Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’ is well-suited for urban conditions. It can withstand challenges such as soil compaction, pollution, and drought. Its adaptable nature allows it to thrive in areas frequently visited by vehicles and pedestrians, such as car parks and pathways.