Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' Tree

This large, robust and vigorous ornamental tree has deep crimson/purple foliage throughout the spring and summer, hence the common name Purple Norway Maple. The autumn colour foliage ranges from orange to brown making this a spectacular maple tree throughout most of the year. Flowers are small, yellow and tinted red in spring.

It will do well in most soils and is tolerant of many difficult conditions including exposed, coastal positions.  Ideal for screening in larger gardens with an attractive rounded head in habit. Expect a height and spread of 8 x 5 metres in 20 years but more in maturity.

AKA Purple Norway maple, Acer platanoides Crimson King

• Common name: Purple Norway Maple tree
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 8 x 5 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Foliage: Large, deep purple leaves turn orangey brown in autumn
• Soil: Prefers moist yet well-drained sites and any soil type including chalk

Planting Advice for Acer platanoides Crimson King Trees

Our pot grown 'Crimson King' Purple Norway Maple trees can be planted at any time of year. Prepare the planting area by removing all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and approximately twice as wide. We recommend a square hole as this encourages the roots to grow straight and not around inside the hole. To help the tree establish effectively, especially if the soil is poor, sprinkle rootgrow in the hole.

Fill in the hole with a mixture of soil and compost. Use ericaceous compost when possible as this encourages more vibrant purple foliage colour. Firm around gently, but avoid banking soil up around the collar of the tree as this can cause problems. Use a stake and tie kit to anchor the roots - instructions are in the online planting guide.

Aftercare for Acer platanoides Crimson King Trees

For spring and summer planting, water Purple Norway Maple trees regularly and increase watering if there are periods of hot or dry weather. For autumn planting, you may only need to water your tree a little. If possible, use rain water instead of tap water as this is more acidic and better for foliage colour.

Use enough water that it soaks right down to the level of the roots.  We stock a range of irrigation kits which help with this.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds for the first couple of growing seasons. Note that only shade loving plants will grow beneath Norway maple trees. If you wish to cover the area, decorative bark is the best option. If you know your area is prone to rabbits, we would advise using a rabbit guard.

Pruning Advice for Acer platanoides Crimson King Trees

Pruning should be carried out in the dormant season, from November to March. Norway Maple trees bleed during other times of the year so pruning can weaken the tree. However, Norway Maple trees very rarely need pruning. The natural shape is normally the most attractive and pruning should be carried out with a less is more approach. Only remove, crossing, damaged or diseased branches.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most under 1.5 metres in height) : £9.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £11.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £14.95 + vat

1-4 trees delivered by pallet to kerbside (inc. mature Japanese Maples): 24.95 + vat

Mature trees, pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode not quantity. Starts from £48 + vat.

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process. Please note, we are unable to deliver outside of Mainland UK.

Delivery Timescales

All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 3 weeks of placing the order, unless stated otherwise. Due to a high volume of orders, current lead time is 3-5 weeks. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.

For pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height), we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers about the delivery date.

Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is on the product/basket page. Orders are despatched once all trees are ready.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees.  For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height