Acer campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’

Queen Elizabeth Hedge Maple was selected by the Lake County Nursery in North America in the mid 1980s for its ideal shape and rapid growth to 8m. It is a selection of the common English Hedge Maple, that has proven very reliable as a small, pruned tree to 6m. ‘Queen Elizabeth’ is more rapidly-growing than the species, and will form a 6m x 3m tree in 3 to 4 years after planting (when irrigated for establishment). North American writers believe that this tree will broaden with age, but can easily be pruned to keep a narrow form.

In Maples of the World, van Gelderen states that ‘Queen Elizabeth’ is,

Suitable as a small tree in narrow streets or for a high, wind-breaking fence. Very suitable as a street tree by its rather fastigiate habit.

There is a planting of A. campestre just outside of Kyneton Victoria that receives no summer irrigation. The trees appear healthy, and don't suffer from any pests. The autumn foliage colour is not arresting—most often it is a dull gold colour in mid-May.

This is another small maple that should be considered for growth on many sites, including those under powerlines.

Typical mature height:

10-12m

Useful in:

narrow sites, streetscapes

Sites for best growth:

suitable for fairly dry sites

Reference:

van Gelderen, D.M., de Jong, P.C., & Oterdoom, H.J. 1994 Maples of the world. Florilegium Press, Sydney