While most maple species are native to Minnesota or harmless cultivars, some species of maples have become invasive.
Avoid planting the following species, and remove from your landscaping if you already have them present:
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides): A large maple native to eastern and central Europe, as well as western Asia, it has become very invasive due to its ability to prolifically reseed itself. Norway maples have now invaded many forests and forest edges. Their shallow root systems also make it difficult for grass and other vegetation to grow in its understory. Norway maple can be identified by its five large lobes, versus the native sugar and red maples, whose two lower lobes are less prominent. Norway maples also have several cultivars that display dark red or crimson leaves (ex.: ‘Crimson King’ Norway Maple).
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala): A small maple often used as a shrub or in hedges and screening. It is native to China, Manchuria and Japan. Amur Maple is a prolific seeder and has invaded prairies and woodland edges. It can be identified by its often multi-stemmed or trunked structure, and its small, 3-lobed leaves.