{"product_id":"columnar-norway-maple","title":"Columnar Norway Maple","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Narrow, Upright Maple Built for Tight Minnesota Yards\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColumnar Norway Maple (\u003cem\u003eAcer platanoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Columnare') is a striking narrow-form maple with a tight, upright habit — just 15–20 feet wide at a mature 40–50 feet tall. That slim profile makes it tailor-made for narrow side yards, tight planting strips, vertical accents, and living screens where a full-size shade tree would simply overwhelm the space. It's tough, fast to establish, and hardy through USDA zone 3. Whether you're squeezing a tree between a Minneapolis driveway and the property line, screening a Woodbury patio, or adding formal vertical structure in Edina, Columnar Norway Maple fits where others can't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eColumnar Norway Maple Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAcer platanoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Columnare'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColumnar Norway Maple, Upright Norway Maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 feet — narrow, upright column\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — about 1–2 feet per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hrs); tolerates light shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Tolerates average rainfall once established; quite adaptable to dry spells.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — exceptionally cold-hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, compacted, and urban soils. Prefers well-drained loam but handles tough sites.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — deep-green leaves on a tight, columnar frame\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFall Color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — proven in Twin Cities winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; protect the trunk from buck rub the first 2 winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native — native to Europe. Tough and adaptable; casts dense shade and has shallow, competitive roots, so plan placement accordingly.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eColumnar Norway Maple Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTight-Space and Narrow-Yard Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt just 15–20 feet wide, this is one of the few large-growing maples that fits a narrow side yard, a strip between a driveway and a fence, or a small urban lot. It gives you real height and screening without the sprawling canopy of a standard shade tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Screen and Privacy Row\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanted in a line 10–15 feet apart, Columnar Norway Maple forms a tall, dense vertical screen — excellent for blocking a second-story view or buffering a property line in Plymouth and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFormal Vertical Accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts strong, symmetrical column makes a bold architectural statement flanking an entry or marking the corners of a formal landscape, and it's tough enough for narrow boulevard rights-of-way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Columnar Norway Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes — typically mid-November in the Twin Cities. Avoid mid-summer planting in heat and humidity, and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Columnar Norway Maple\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width but only as deep as the ball is tall, so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools and won't drain, break through the clay layer or mound-plant slightly to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't grow beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — give a single accent 12–15 feet of clearance; space a screen row 10–15 feet apart for a solid vertical wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips in a wide ring, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Never use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Columnar Norway Maple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply and slowly every 1–2 days. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3–6: every 5–7 days during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate (the Twin Cities average about 3 inches a month from June through August). \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October — so the tree doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, Columnar Norway Maple is very low-maintenance and quite drought-tolerant, needing supplemental water mainly during extended droughts (two-plus weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Soak deeply every 7–14 days when needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Columnar Norway Maple survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is reliably hardy in Twin Cities winters. Wrap the young trunk the first winter to prevent sunscald and buck rub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow wide does it really get?\u003c\/strong\u003e It stays narrow — about 15–20 feet wide — which is the whole reason to choose it. Plan for that width near walls and property lines, but it won't sprawl like a standard maple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — Norway maple is native to Europe. It's a tough, adaptable ornamental. Because it casts dense shade and has shallow, competitive roots, place it where you don't need lawn or a garden directly underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay and urban soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — exceptionally well. Norway maples handle compacted, clay, and tough city soils better than most shade trees, which makes this a reliable choice for tight urban lots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it for privacy?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Planted in a row 10–15 feet apart, its tall, dense, narrow form makes an effective living screen without taking up much ground width.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrimson Sentry Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrow, columnar Norway maple with dramatic burgundy-purple foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArmstrong Gold Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a slim, columnar red maple with golden-orange fall color for tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed Rocket Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a narrow, upright red maple with bright red fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmerald Lustre Norway Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — the same toughness in a full-size, broad-canopy shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Red Norway Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bold purple-leaf Norway maple for an open lawn focal point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Columnar Norway Maple Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a tall living screen, space trees 10–15 feet apart in a row:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrees Needed (12 ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a single vertical accent, allow 12–15 feet of clearance; a matched pair flanking an entry reads especially well in formal landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eColumnar Norway Maple Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clusters of small yellow-green flowers appear before the leaves — an early-season nectar stop — followed by a quick, dense leaf-out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tight column of deep-green foliage casts cool shade in a narrow footprint and shrugs off urban heat and compacted soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The column turns clear yellow, glowing like a candle against evergreens and fences.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong, symmetrical upright branching keeps its architectural presence even bare — wrap young trunks against sunscald the first couple of winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Drought-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/crimson-sentry-maple\"\u003eCrimson Sentry Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — burgundy-purple columnar cousin for a striking two-tone vertical pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/armstrong-gold-red-maple\"\u003eArmstrong Gold Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — another slim column with golden-orange fall color to extend the autumn show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-rocket-maple\"\u003eRed Rocket Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — narrow upright form with bright red fall color for contrast against the yellow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-pillar-arborvitae\"\u003eAmerican Pillar Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — evergreen columns to keep the screen working after leaf drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Columnar Norway Maple Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose this tree for a narrow side yard, tight planting strip, or formal vertical accent in full sun on almost any soil — including compacted urban clay — where you need 40+ feet of height in a 15–20 foot footprint. Not a fit if you want lawn or gardens directly beneath it: its dense shade and shallow, competitive roots make underplanting a losing battle, and as a non-native it adds little wildlife value compared to a native maple or oak.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260806320433,"sku":"GT-T0204","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260806353201,"sku":"GT-T0205","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260806385969,"sku":"GT-T0210","price":521.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/columnar-norway-maple.jpg?v=1779426688","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/columnar-norway-maple","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}