Field Maple Care

Acer campestre

An extremely hardy and adaptable tree native to Europe and Turkey. Its five-lobed leaves turn yellow in autumn; it tolerates all soil types and urban conditions, which is why it is widely used in parks, hedges and street planting.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January

Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
Pruning: The ideal time for structural pruning and clearing dead, diseased or crossing branches.
Plant protection: If heavy pest infestations were seen last season, a dormant oil (Bordeaux mixture) may be applied.
General care: Check drainage.

February

Pruning: This is the last time to finish pruning before the buds swell.
General care: If the soil is not frozen, it is a suitable time for planting saplings.

March

Watering: For newly planted seedlings, 15-20 L/tree every 15 days.
Fertilizing: Usually not needed. If the soil is very poor, scatter a slow-release balanced NPK fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) over the root zone at 50 g/m², and do not overapply.
General care: New leaves begin to emerge.

April

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Spreading mulch around the roots helps the soil stay moist.
Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.

May

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
Pruning: Do not prune during the growing season.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.

June

Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
Pruning: Do shaping and hedge pruning.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Regular watering of young trees supports root development. Mature trees are quite drought tolerant.
Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Look for white, powdery patches on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

July

Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Plants may become stressed during extreme heat; regular, deep watering is important.
Pests & diseases: Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

August

Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: It is the tree's recovery period after the summer heat.
Pests & diseases: Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

September

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
Pruning: Do the last formative pruning of the season; do not let it put out new shoots before frost.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: The tree is preparing for autumn color.
Pests & diseases: Look for white, powdery spots on the leaves (powdery mildew). Thinning dense branches to increase airflow slows its spread.

October

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
General care: Enjoy the autumn colors, which are usually yellow. It is one of the best times for planting saplings.

November

Pruning: You can begin winter pruning after the leaves have completely fallen.
General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.

December

Pruning: An ideal month to keep pruning to correct structural problems.
General care: Wrap the trunks of young trees with tree wrap to protect them from frost and sunscald, especially in regions with harsh winters.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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