Acer lobelii

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Medium

Dry Soil: High

Lime: Medium

Acer lobelii, commonly known as Lobel’s Maple, is quite a rare tree that naturally occurred grouped together in pocket areas of Southern Italy. It is thought by some to be a natural hybrid between the Asian Acer cappadocicum and the European Acer platanoides. It has many differences from these parents and therefore, is accepted by many as a distinct species. It has thrived upon our nursery for many years and establishes extremely well here in the UK.

A unique aspect of Acer lobelii is its form, being one of the very few to be naturally fastigiate. Its narrow slender canopy reaches upwards, becoming vase-shaped and wider at the top than at its bottom. This allows for fantastic use within tighter urban locations where available space is at a minimum. It establishes extremely well in areas of hard surfacing and tolerates high winds caused by tunnels created by high infrastructure.

This is an ideal tree for tight central reservations and narrow pedestrian walkways. This trees distinct form also allows for stunning parkland planting. When planted as an avenue or a row along a driveway entrance, its precise form creates striking architecture.

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

8m high x 2.5m wide after 25 years

Environment

An ideal choice for narrow, tighter, urban locations, such as streets, where space is limited. Its slender, upright form allows it to fit seamlessly into constrained spaces without overwhelming surroundings. This unique growth habit also makes it a striking feature in parks and landscaped area, where its elegant silhouette and distinctive foliage can create a visually stunning focal point.

Canopy

One of the very few trees that naturally grows in a fastigiate form, characterised by its slender, upright canopy. The trees distinctive growth habit features tightly clustered, vertical branches that extend upwards, allowing the crown to reach an impressive height of up to 25m. This elegant columnar shape makes Acer lobelii an exceptional choice for vertical space in urban and landscaped environments.

Foliage

The foliage features distinctive 5-pointed leaves that are a lush, shiny green throughout the growing season. As autumn arrives, these vibrant leaves transition into softer, warm shades of yellow, creating a pleasing and gentle display of seasonal colour. The rich green foliage, combined with its gradual autumn transformation, adds both texture and visual interest to the landscape,.

Resilience

This tree exhibits notable resilience, thriving best in soils with a lower to medium pH, but struggling in higher alkaline conditions. Its adaptability allows it to establish well even in challenging environments, including hard surfaces and highly exposed sites.

FAQs

How tall does Acer lobelii grow?

Acer lobelii typically reaches a height of 8m with a spread of 2.5m after 25 years, making it an excellent choice for narrow spaces or where vertical growth is desired.

How do I care for Acer lobelii?

Acer lobelii requires regular watering to aid in establishment, especially during dry periods. Pruning is generally not necessary, but light pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches.

How fast does Acer lobelii grow?

This tree has a moderate growth rate, gaining around 1-2ft per year under optimal conditions.