Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is in the soapberry family family (Sapindaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,092 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Norway maple: observations by month (U.S.)
About Norway maple
Acer platanoides (Norway maple) is a species of maple native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It is a member of the soapberry and lychee family.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Norway maple by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 364 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New York | 213 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 119 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New Jersey | 83 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Vermont | 53 | April | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 47 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maine | 41 | May | Apr–May |
| Rhode Island | 24 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maryland | 20 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Oregon | 19 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Michigan | 16 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 14 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 12 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Ohio | 10 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Washington | 8 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Minnesota | 7 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 7 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Wisconsin | 7 | April | Apr–May |
| Delaware | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
| District of Columbia | 5 | March | Mar–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (soapberry family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Norway maple?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to April.
Where is Norway maple most often seen?
The most observations come from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania.