Acer Zoeschense Annae Maple

Acer Zoeschense Annae is an attractive small tree with brilliant autumn colours making it a welcome addition to the landscape! This hardy and undemanding maple cultivar has much to recommend it to the UK gardener. 

A mid-sized deciduous hybrid maple, Acer Zoeschense Annae is a cross between the Acer Campestre or the common field maple, native to Europe and the UK, and the Acer Cappadocicum, native to Asia. It was found in Schwerin, Germany in 1908, and was a popular street tree in the UK in previous generations.

In spring and summer the leaves are a dark green with a purple tinge, forming a contrast with the striking red-brown colour of the young twigs when growing in full sun. The insignificant flowers in May attract bees and butterflies, and are followed by winged fruits or samara up to 5 cm across in autumn, when the foliage turns to shades of red and orange for a brilliant show. The cultivar Annae has an open, spherical crown.

Hardy in all parts of the UK, Acer Zoeschense Annae will slowly grow to a mature height of 20 metres and spread of 6-10 metres. Little or no pruning is required to maintain its rounded, airy crown. However, it can be happily pruned and trained into more or less any desired shape.

Plant Acer Zoeschense Annae in full sun, partial shade, or shade in an exposed or sheltered position in any soil type. It will tolerate a wetter soil than many other trees, but will also tolerate periods of drought once established. Being very tolerant of pollution, it is a good choice for city gardens. It is also a good tree to use in windy locations as it has a high wind resistance.

Acer Zoeschense Annae can be used on a large roof terrace, especially if pruned and trained to maintain the desired size and shape. It is also a good choice for a specimen tree in a lawn, where it will provide dappled shade in summer and then become a colourful focal point when its leaves turn red and orange in autumn. They make excellent medium-sized street trees. On a larger property, a row of Acer Zoeschense Annae can be used as a windbreak.

Acer Zoeschense Annae is an excellent landscape tree for a wide variety of growing conditions. Not particular about light levels, soil type, or moisture, this low-maintenance tree will reward you with attractive foliage which ends the year with a brilliant show of autumn colour!