Elsrijk Field Maple Trees

• Variety: Elsrijk, a neat, conical selection of Field Maple
• Latin name: Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'
• Native: A Dutch selection of our native Field Maple
• Sold as: Bareroot standard, 6/8cm girth
• Mature size: 10m tall by 6m wide
• Time to full size: 10 to 20 years
• Habit: A dense, conical crown, neater than the species
• Leaves: Green and three-lobed, buttery yellow in autumn
• Position: Sun or light shade. Takes an exposed site
• Soil: Fertile, moist and well-drained, chalk included
• Pruning: Little needed. Cut only from late autumn to midwinter
• Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
• Hardiness: H6, hardy through the British winter
• Delivered: Bareroot, November to April. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Elsrijk is a Dutch selection of our native Field Maple with a neater, dense, conical crown, which is why it is planted so widely as a street tree. The leaves turn buttery yellow in autumn, it grows on chalk, and it is on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list.

Elsrijk Field Maple Trees

‘Elsrijk’ is a handsome, cultivated field maple that’s often used as an urban street or parkland tree. It’s a tough, hardy customer that will thrive in almost any soil conditions, including near the coast, wet sites, and in compacted urban soils.
The dark green foliage turns the most beautiful golden shade of butterscotch yellow in autumn.
It can reach 10 metres tall and 6 metres wide in about 25 years, ideal for most gardens.

For a very similar, even narrower cultivar, try Acer streetwise.
Browse our other maple trees, our trees for small gardens, or all of our garden trees.

Growing Elsrijk

Maples are generally easy to grow. Pests like aphids and caterpillars should be dealt with on young trees to get them off to a strong start, but after that good gardening practices, such as appropriate weeding and feeding, together with our range of organic garden products, will help keep your trees healthy and beautiful.

‘Elsrijk’ makes a handsome stand-alone specimen tree, or looks great in groves. It makes an effective component of a ‘green’ garden, combined with formal hedges, whether evergreen box or yew, or neatly clipped beech.
It would be a great choice for a tree lined drive, underplanted with spring bulbs.

History & Trivia

‘Elsrijk’ was bred in Holland by Chris Pieter Broerse (1902-1995) and introduced in 1953. Elsrijk is a district in Amstelveen, where Chris did much of his life's work as a garden architect; Amstelveen's Broersepark is named after him.

Acer campestre belongs to the Sapindaceae family. Acers are deciduous trees and shrubs with attractive lobed, often palmate leaves, small flowers and winged ‘helicopter’ fruits called samara.

Planting Companions

Elsrijk is one of three selections of the Field Maple that we grow: the species is broader and wilder, and Royal Ruby has red young leaves. It sits well among our native trees and trees for wildlife, and with the Hawthorns for blossom beneath it. Dust bareroot roots with Rootgrow as you plant.

Why Ashridge for Garden Trees?

Ashridge has sold trees since 1949 and is a Which? Best Plant Supplier 2025. Your Elsrijk Field Maple comes as a bareroot tree, lifted to order while dormant and guaranteed for 12 months. Plant it between November and April, and it will establish readily.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Elsrijk grow?

About 10 metres tall and 6 wide after 25 years.

How is Elsrijk different from an ordinary Field Maple?

The crown. Elsrijk was selected in Holland for a neater, denser, conical head, so it fits a street, a drive or a smaller garden better than the broad, irregular species.

Is Elsrijk native?

It is a named selection of Field Maple, which is Britain's only native Maple. The cultivar itself is not native.

Will it grow on chalk?

Yes. It is suitable for chalky soils, and grows in chalk, clay, sand and loam. It wants a fertile soil that is moist and drains well.

When should you prune a Field Maple?

Only from late autumn to midwinter. It needs little pruning beyond removing damaged or crossing branches.

When are the trees delivered?

Bareroot only, from November to April, while the trees are dormant. You can order at any time of year and your tree is lifted and sent once the season opens.