Norway Maple - A. platanoides

This is a native of northern Europe, and once was one of the most commonly planted shade-and-street trees in the US. It has rapid growth and tolerates urban conditions such as air pollutants, cold temperatures and poor soils. It does lift up sidewalks with the roots, however, and the samaras get everywhere (much like any other maple, or the acorns from oaks). It is considered invasive and is prohibted to plant in MA; Connecticut considers it to be invasive but hasn't banned it, yet.




Samaras



The leaf, which can be confused with Sugar Maple



Zone 7 is the furthest south it is willing to travel.
Siting the species into a cool microclimate will aid in successfull establishment (planting it in cool places makes it happy).
There are plenty of cultivars (plants hybridized and grown for specific reasons, and don't occur naturally) that are supposed to be prettier, or have more heat tolerance, so this tree is doing its best to be diverse.

A cute tree, I think.



 The tree is obviously a bit rounded and doesn't grow out quite as much as other maples. It is a cute little thing, but apparently it's a pest in some places (meaning it puts other trees out, trying to take over and whatnot - otherwise known as 'invasive'). Even so, I happen to like it.