Trade Price Details or straight to Contact Us
Why Buy Our Hedging Trees?
- Our trees are covered by a FREE TREE WARRANTY. (first 15% not covered)
- Our plug plants/cell grown hedging trees can be planted year round.
- Root plug contains naturally occurring mycorrhizae and fertilizer.
- Plants do not "check" when planted so rapid early growth.
- Very easy to plant and very high success rate.
- Growing containers eliminate root spiralling.
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland only)
- North UK grown so hardy plants.
Acer campestre – Field Maple aka hedge Maple. A tough, clip-friendly native hedge plant that looks smart even when not wearing a suit
If you want a hedge that feels properly “British countryside”, Field Maple (Acer campestre) is a great choice. It’s a native deciduous hedge plant with small, neat leaves that take clipping well, so you can keep it tidy and formal or let it relax into a more natural mixed hedge. It’s also one of those plants that just gets on with life - it copes with clay, chalk, wind, and the general indignities of boundary planting where the soil’s been compacted by builders’ boots and the odd wheelie bin. Add in good wildlife value and warm yellow autumn colour, and it becomes one of those “why didn’t I plant this sooner?” hedges.
Why Field Maple (Acer campestre) Makes A Good Hedge
Field Maple makes a dense hedge because it branches well and responds nicely to trimming. The leaves are smaller than many other maples, which matters because it gives you a cleaner finish. In a mixed native hedge, it blends brilliantly with hawthorn, hazel, dogwood and blackthorn, but it also works perfectly on its own if you want a single-species line. It’s hardy, reliable, and tolerant of exposure once established, so it’s a good pick for open sites as well as sheltered gardens.
Advantages of Field Maple (Acer campestre) for Hedging
- Clip-friendly and dense: Responds well to trimming, thickens up nicely, and holds a tidy shape.
- Small leaves for a smart finish: Gives a cleaner, more “finished” look than many broader-leaved hedges.
- Tough and adaptable: Handles clay and chalk well and copes with typical UK garden conditions.
- Seasonal interest: Fresh spring growth, calm green summer cover, then warm yellow autumn colour.
- Wildlife value: Offers shelter for birds, habitat for insects and a good place to sleep it off for cider-soaked farmers.
- Good in mixed native hedges: Plays nicely with other hedge plants.
Disadvantages to Consider Before Buying Field Maple (Acer campestre)
- Deciduous: Drops leaves in winter, so it won’t give year-round privacy like evergreen hedges.
- Needs trimming to stay hedge-like: Left uncut it can become more open and tree-ish over time.
- Not for permanently waterlogged sites: It likes moisture but prefers soils that drain; boggy ground slows it down.
- Autumn leaf fall exists: If you hate raking leaves, you’ll want to “outsource” that job to the wind and pretend it’s not yours.
Benefits Of Using Our Cell-Grown Plug Plants
We supply Field Maple (Acer campestre) as strong, cell-grown plug plants (20-40cm) with roots held in compost. Unlike bare-root plants that can only be planted November to March, plugs can go in the ground any time of year if watered during dry spells. Because their roots stay intact, plug plants establish quickly, suffer little shock and are easy to handle - ideal if you’re planting a long boundary. All our cell-grown trees are UK-grown in Scotland for strong establishment and local adaptation.
Planting & Care Tips For Field Maple (Acer campestre)
- Plant into a weed-free strip and keep competition down - plugs hate fighting it out with grass. (Grass is basically a mugger in plant form.)
- Water well after planting and keep watering through the first growing season in dry spells.
- Mulch helps retain moisture and speeds establishment, especially on lighter soils.
- Light trimming encourages branching and density; avoid heavy cutting during bird-nesting season. (Birds do not appreciate surprise demolition work.)
Soil & Site Conditions
Field Maple suits most well-drained soils and is notably tolerant of both clay and chalk. It’s happy in sun or partial shade and copes with exposed sites once established. Aim for moist but well-drained ground for the best start; very dry sites will need watering during establishment, and very wet sites will slow it down.
Wildlife & Ecological Role
As a native hedge plant, Field Maple adds structure and shelter for birds and provides habitat for a range of insects. It’s a solid “background” wildlife hedge.
Growth & Maintenance Details
Field Maple has a moderate growth rate and can be maintained as a hedge at a range of heights. With regular trimming it will form a dense, neat screen; left untrimmed it can reach around 15m and develop into a small tree. For hedging, an annual trim (or two, depending how neat you like it) keeps it thick and well-shaped.
Companion Species & Alternatives
For a mixed native hedge, pair Field Maple with Hazel (Corylus avellana), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) or Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) for varied texture and strong wildlife value. If you want a more evergreen feel, consider mixing in Holly (Ilex aquifolium) - it’s the hedge equivalent of adding a winter coat to your boundary.
Pest & Disease Notes
Generally resilient. Watch for aphids on soft new growth; a firm spray of water usually sorts them out. In rural areas, young plants can be browsed by deer or rabbits, so protection may be sensible if your local wildlife treats new hedges as a salad bar.
Wholesale Tree Prices For Field Maple (Acer campestre)
We’re happy to quote for trade, which is usually quantities of 1000 trees or more. Please contact us.
How Many Field Maple (Acer campestre) Hedging Trees Do I Need?
For a dense screen, plant 6 per metre using the double staggered hedge method. For a single row hedge, plant 3 per metre.
Seasonal Availability & Dispatch Information
Field Maple plug plants are available to buy online all year. They can be planted at any time with care during dry spells. Water well until established and you’ll have a sturdy, reliable hedge that thickens up year by year.
Interesting Facts About Field Maple (Acer campestre)
- The best time to make shelves from this tree is AFTER it has been cut down and processed.
- It is a great pollinator that has a lot in common with the Terminator because the flowers always "come back".
- It tolerates urban pollution well, possibly because it can hold its breath for a very long time.
- Nobody knows what they called the "helicopter fruits" before helicopters were invented.
- A good choice for firewood but make sure you have a log burner and don't try to stuff it through the viewing portal of your gas boiler.
- The hardest Maple of all European Maples so don't pick a fight with it.
- Popular choice for public gardens and parks because of its pollution tolerance.
- Can live to over 400 years old.
Delivery
Due to courier unpredictability, we advise having your trees delivered AT LEAST 3 days before you actually need them.
Returning Cell-Grown Trees
For phytosanitary reasons, cell-grown trees cannot be returned to the nursery.
Delaying Planting Cell-Grown Trees
If you cannot plant straight away, take the trees out of the packaging and stand upright next to each other in a sheltered location outside. November to March, no need to water unless they start to dry out and these would be ok for up to 6 weeks. During Spring and Summer, you can do this for up to 3 weeks.
Site Conditions and Evergreen Tree List
Our Tree Chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding or Fertilising Hedges
Any nitrogen-based fertiliser will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer-lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture, therefore release slowly.
Second Line of Hedging or Staggered Row
We recommend planting the second line of trees 25 cm or 10 inches away from the first if using the staggered hedging approach. Consider buying 10% more than you need and plant the spares elsewhere so you have immediate replacements for damaged or diseased trees.
Hedge Protection
For all hedging protection please view the Tree Extras Section.
You would think that thorny plants would put rabbits off from eating them however this is not the case. They are happy to take the pain regardless of the cost (sounds like rabbits would be suited to marriage).
Using Bark or Wood Chip Mulch for Hedging Trees
Mice like to use this as a nest/home/holiday retreat and they eat the bark (especially Beech). Periodically check for damage below the mulch or bark layer. Alternatively use gravel or plastic sheeting as a method of reducing weeds.
Adding Fragrance and Colour to Your Hedge
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a very popular addition to any garden due to the strong fragrance, splash of colours and interest it generates from other wildlife. Click the link to find out more.
Plants Suitable for Coastal Planting
Native: Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Holly, Juniper, Rowan, Whitebeam, Willow, Field Maple.
Evergreen/Semi-Evergreen: Griselinia, Olearia, Escallonia, Elaeagnus, Berberis, Privet, Cotoneaster.
Ground Cover: Hebe, Gorse, Sea Buckthorn (low form), Tamarisk, Pyracantha.
Factors Detrimental to Cell-Grown/Young Hedging Trees
Too much/little water, animal urine, excessive wind exposure (will slow growth), salt spray, frost on new growth, herbicide drift and over-application of fertiliser.
Hedge Tree Growing in the UK
We have instructed all our hedging trees that no non-UK holidays are allowed so that we can state they are all UK grown.
Planting in the Corner of a Garden
Air and light are reduced in this location which could promote fungal and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over 1000 trees can be discounted by contacting us on 0800 043 1057.
