Acer campestre; Field Maple

This young maple was found in Chorlton Ees nature reserve. They are medium-sized deciduous trees with a rounded crown and a twisted bole. Rather variable in appearance, much depending on its habitat. 

The leaves are opposite and up to 12cm long and usually holds strongly 3-lobed. The lobes themselves often have lobed margins and tufts of hair in the axils of the veins on the underside. Newly opened leaves have a pinkish tinge to them at first becoming dark green and rather leathery later.

The branches are much divided and dense, sometimes almost impenetrable so, when pruned or cut regularly. The shoots are brown and sometimes covered with fine hairs and often developing wings. 

The Bark is grey- brown and fissured with a slightly corky texture.