Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’| Hillier Trees

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Medium

Dry Soil: High

Lime: Medium

Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ is a large and resilient cultivar of the Norway Maple, perfectly suited for urban environments. Thriving particularly well around tall, sheer-surfaced infrastructure, Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ withstands reflected heat, drought conditions, and pollution, making it a standout choice for challenging city landscapes.

Like other Norway Maples, Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ begins spring with delicate lemon-yellow blossoms that beautifully contrast with its emerging vibrant red leaves. Over the following weeks, these leaves shift to a rich green, but what truly distinguishes this cultivar is its continual renewal of vivid red growth throughout summer. This unique characteristic means the tree’s canopy alternates between bursts of red and green foliage multiple times in a season, refreshing its appearance about three to four times and providing dynamic visual interest.

As autumn arrives, Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ displays a spectacular fireworks-like show of colours, intense reds, bright oranges, and vibrant yellows, making it a captivating focal point in any landscape design.

Its adaptability to urban stressors, combined with its striking seasonal colour changes, makes Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ an exceptional tree for parks, streets, and gardens where a dramatic visual impact is desired.

For more on maples, check out our collection.

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

13m high x 7m wide after 25 years

Environment

Due to its capacity to reflect heat and tolerate urban pollution, this tree thrives when planted along streets or within car parks.

Canopy

In its youth, the crown displays a pyramidal shape. As it matures, it becomes more oval shaped.

Foliage

Each leaf typically has around 5 lobes. A distinctive trait is the initial emergence of red foliage amidst the green leaves. This results in a canopy that undergoes a dynamic change 3-4 times throughout the season.

Flowers

Clusters of lemon green shaded flowers with five delicate petals emerge on the bare branches in early spring.

Resilience

A highly resilient tree that withstands urban pollution, drought, and reflective heat. However, it prefers a richer, well-drained soil compared to the Norway Maple.

Wildlife

A valuable source of pollen and nectar for bees.

Available As:

Semi-Mature, Super Semi-Mature

FAQs

Is Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ suitable for small urban spaces?

While it has a large mature size, its adaptability to tough urban conditions makes it a popular choice for bigger urban green spaces but less suitable for very small areas.

Does Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ require a lot of maintenance?

This cultivar is relatively low maintenance. It is hardy and resilient, requiring occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.

Can Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ tolerate drought?

Yes, it shows good drought resistance once established, although young trees benefit from regular watering during dry periods.