Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’ – Queen Elizabeth™ Hedge Maple

Botanical Name: Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’

Alternate Name: Evelyn Hedge Maple

The Queen Elizabeth Hedge Maple grows to 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Its growth habit is low to the ground, with the lowest branches being around 4 feet above the ground. The size prohibits it from being planted under power lines. Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’ is slow growing, and under optimum conditions can live up to 80 years or longer.

This tree grows more vigorously than the species form. Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’ can be distinguished from the species in a few ways:

1. An upright branching habit which is distinct to ‘Evelyn’. The branches grow at a 45 degree angle from the tree trunk.
2. Larger leaves – up to 5 inches long and 4 inches wide in its second year and dark green in color. They have 3-5 lobes.
3. Fast growth rate in the first year, which slows later.

Acer campestre ‘Evelyn’ flowers in the spring with insignificant, yellowish-green blooms. The blooms are followed by winged samaras (up to 1 3/4 inches long), which grow horizontally.  The leaves develop various shades of yellow in the fall. The petioles of the leaves contain milky sap.

The Queen Elizabeth Hedge Maple thrives in urban environments and is very tolerant of pollution.