Acer campestre (Field Maple)

Common name: field maple

Description: Britain's only native maple, a tough and adaptable small tree or large shrub with small, lobed mid-green leaves that turn a lovely butter-yellow in autumn. Its corky-barked twigs give useful winter interest.

Other benefits: UK native, tolerant of pollution, wind, drought and most soils including chalk, excellent for hedging or as a specimen tree

Wildlife attraction: bees

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 6m x 4m

Position: full sun or partial shade

Soil pH: acid to alkaline; tolerant of most soils including chalk

Moisture: moist but well-drained

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to below -20°C