The Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ is a fantastic deciduous tree, a highly valued cultivar of the Norway Maple that is prized for its naturally symmetrical and tidy form. It doesn’t grow into a tall, sprawling tree; instead, it develops a dense, rounded, or almost perfectly spherical canopy that sits atop a clear, straight trunk. This makes it an ideal choice for urban areas and smaller gardens where space is limited. Its large, typical maple leaves are a vibrant green in spring and summer, before turning a beautiful buttery yellow in autumn.
Caring for Your ‘Globosum’
- Growing Conditions: This maple thrives in a position with full sun or light afternoon shade. It is a tough and cold-hardy tree, making it best suited for temperate climates with cool to cold winters. It is adaptable to most soil types but prefers well-draining, moist, and slightly acidic soil.
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly while the tree is young and establishing its roots. Once settled, it has moderate drought tolerance but will benefit from watering during long, hot, dry summer periods.
- Feeding: Feed your maple tree with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring before the new growth appears.
- Pruning: Pruning is minimal. The beauty of the ‘Globosum’ is its natural shape, which rarely requires shaping. You may only need to remove suckers from the base or any dead or crossing branches to maintain a clean structure.
Usage in the Garden
The ‘Globosum’ is one of the best compact shade trees available. It is widely used as a street tree, feature tree in small gardens, or for planting along driveways and pathways where its uniform shape creates a formal, elegant look. Its dense canopy provides excellent, compact shade without taking up the large vertical space of other maple varieties.
