Common Name: Montpellier Maple

General Information

Acer monspessulanum is a deciduous tree with a dense, rounded habit; it sometimes grows more than 15 metres tall but is more commomly 6 - 9 metres and sometimes is scarcely more than a shrub. The bole can be 50 - 80cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for mainly local use of its wood. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens where it can be used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - southern Germany to Portugal, east to Romania, Bulgaria, Greece; W. Asia -Turkey to Turkmenistan, south to Syria; N. Africa -Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Open woods and rocky places, usually on limestone

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer monspessulanum is a very cold tolerant tree and is known to be unharmed by temperatures as low as -26°c when it is dormant[].
Acer species are generally of easy cultivation, growing best in full sun or light, dappled shade and succeeding in most well-drained but moisture-retentive soils[, ]. This species grows well on dry soils and in areas of low rainfall, doing well on limestone soils[].
A small tree of neat and pleasing appearance, very suitable as an isolated specimen in a small garden[].
A slow-growing tree[].
The leaves often persist into the early part of winter[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds well to trimming and is used as a hedge in the south of Europe[].
A valuable tree for reforesting dry soils and limestone regions[].

Other Uses

The wood is harder and heavier than that of the Field Maple (Acer campestre), to which it resembles, but has a more reddish hue. It is used for turnery and carpentry[].
The wood is an excellent fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[, ]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions.
Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus.
Cuttings of young shoots in early summer . The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter.