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

When planting Norway Maple trees, such as the Purple Norway maple, it is important to prepare the planting area well. Pot grown Norway maple trees can be planted at any time of the year. Bare root acer platanoides trees need to be planted between November and March. If you are not planting your bare root Norway maple tree straight away, it is best to ‘heel in’ your tree. Dig a hole in an unused area of soil and pop the roots of the tree in, gently firming around. If you’re planting within a couple of days, you can untie the bag around the roots, water, re-tie and then store in a frost free garage or shed.

Whether planting a pot grown or bare root Norway maple tree, you will need to carry out the following to prepare your planting site. Firstly, remove all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole then dig a hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. We recommend digging a square hole as this encourages the roots to grow straight as opposed to around inside the hole. To help your tree establish more effectively, we advise applying root grow (sprinkle in the hole for pot grown trees or prepare and apply the gel mixture for bare root trees), especially if you have poor soil.

You do not need to amend the soil with compost when planting a Norway maple tree, simply fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree as this can cause problems. When planting Norway maple trees, you should use ericaceous compost when possible as this encourages vibrant foliage colour. To see how to use a tree stake and tie, watch our informational how to videos.

Aftercare Advice for Norway Maple trees

If you’re planting in dry weather, water well and regularly for the first few months. The same goes for spring and summer planting. Make sure to keep an eye on your young tree and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, 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. We also stock a range of irrigation kits, suitable for a variety of planting schemes.
Once planted, it is important to keep the area free of competing weeds for the first couple of growing seasons. Using a glyphosate based weed killer or installing mulch matting and bark chips will aid in this. 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 Purple Norway Maple 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.

Covid-19: In response to government advice and for the safety of everyone, we have taken the difficult decision to stop nursery operations until mid-April.

It will still be possible to place new orders through our website and your  trees will be tagged and reserved for you, but we will be unable to despatch  them until operations resume.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most trees under 1.5 metres in height) : £7.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £9.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £12.95 + vat

1-4 trees delivered by pallet (inc. mature Japanese Maples): £19.95 + vat

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Mature and pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode rather than quantity (starts from £48 + vat).

Northern Ireland and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Delivery Timescales

All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 10 days of placing the order. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date.

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