The maple, or the Norway maple, was chosen as the indicator species of Helsinki by popular vote in 1996. It is a common urban tree, blooming beautifully in May and putting on a fireworks display of colour in October. Most maples are escapees from cultivated areas, they have been planted along avenues, in manor parks and in small gardens since time began, and from there they have spread. However, Helsinki does have some natural native maples. The largest maples grow in Malminkartano.
Squirrels and wood mice eat maple seeds, or ‘noses’. Bullfinches also like to nibble on maple seeds in early winter.