Acer campestre, commonly known as hedge maple or field maple, is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree valued for its dense, rounded form and adaptability, typically reaching 25 to 35 feet tall with a spread of 25 to 30 feet, though in ideal conditions it can occasionally grow up to 40 feet in height. The trunk may develop a diameter of 1 to 2 feet, covered in gray-brown bark that becomes corky and slightly fissured with age. Leaves are opposite, simple, and palmately lobed, usually 2 to 4 inches wide, with five rounded lobes and a smooth, slightly leathery texture that turns rich yellow in fall. New twigs are slender, often developing corky ridges as they mature. In spring, the tree produces small yellow-green flowers in upright clusters about 1½ to 3 inches long, followed by paired winged samaras (seeds) that measure roughly 1 to 1½ inches across. The root system is moderately deep and spreading, making it tolerant of pruning and urban conditions. Its moderate growth rate averages 10 to 15 inches per year, and it performs well in full sun to partial shade, tolerating a range of soils from sandy to clay as long as drainage is reasonable. Hedge maple is frequently used in hedgerows or as a street or lawn tree because of its compact size, dense canopy, and ability to be clipped, often maintained at heights as low as 10 to 15 feet when used as a formal hedge.