The Montpellier Maple is a small, up to 10-12 metre, hardy, slow-growing tree, named after the region in southern France where it grows on southern slopes, usually between 600-1000 m. They are deciduous and a favourite with gardeners for their compact size and striking late autumn colour. This species is extremely hardy, withstanding cold as low as -25°C. It prefers rocky, free draining calcareous sites, particularly slopes.

Once established, Acer monspessulanum is exceptionally drought tolerant, making it one of the most resilient of the maple species. It thrives in hot, dry Mediterranean summers and can survive for extended periods without additional watering once it has completed its first full season in the ground. However, its deep root system needs time to become established after planting, so regular watering is required during this initial phase — probably for at least two summers after planting. Mature trees will need minimal irrigation, even during extreme dry spells. Its ability to adapt to Mediterranean climates enables it to withstand drought better than many other maples, making it as drought-tolerant as our native pines and Quercus ilex.

Similar in size and appearance to the Field Maple (Acer campestre), it is a good choice for a small garden or planted as a screen or windbreak (it has been used as a hedge in southern France). It is a deciduous tree with delicate light green new foliage in spring, which darkens in summer and turns butter-yellow to orange in late autumn. We think this is a tree that will need some help to establish, but provided there is some soil depth or rocky areas such as limestone (perhaps even shale) into which it can root, it should be very drought tolerant and undemanding in the future.