Acer pseudoplatanus
| Sycamore Maple | ||||||||||||||
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 Sycamore Maple leaves
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| Acer pseudoplatanus L. |
Acer pseudoplatanus, commonly known as sycamore in Europe and sycamore maple in North America (to distinguish it from Platanus occidentalis, which is also called sycamore), is one of the most common maples in Europe, native to central Europe from France east to Poland, and south in the mountains to northern Spain and Turkey. Sycamores now occur throughout Britain and Ireland, having been introduced in the 17th century[1].
The sycamore is a deciduous tree that reaches 20–35 m tall at maturity, with a broad, domed crown. On young trees, the bark is smooth and grey but becomes rougher with age and breaks up in scales, exposing the pale-brown-to-pinkish inner bark.
The leaves are opposite, 10-25 cm long and broad with a 5-15 cm petiole, palmately-veined with five lobes with toothed edges, and dark green in colour; some cultivars have purple-tinged or yellowish leaves.
The monoecious yellow-green flowers are produced in spring on 10-20 cm pendulous racemes, with 20-50 flowers on each stalk. The 5-10 mm diameter seeds are paired in samaras, each seed with a 20-40 mm long wing to catch the wind and rotate when they fall; this helps them to spread further from the parent tree. The seeds are mature in autumn about 6 months after pollination.
The name "sycamore" originally belongs to the fig species Ficus sycomorus native to southwest Asia (this is the sycamore or sycomore referred to in the Bible), and was later misapplied to this species (and others; see also Platanus) by reason of the superficial similarity in leaf shape. To avoid confusion, the name Sycamore Maple is used here.
Cultivation and uses
The Sycamore Maple is noted for its tolerance of wind, urban pollution and salt spray, which makes it a popular tree for planting in cities, along roads treated with salt in winter, and in coastal localities. It is cultivated and widely naturalised north of its native range in northern Europe, notably in the British Isles and Scandinavia north to Tromsø, Norway; Reykjavík, Iceland, and Torshavn on the Faroe Islands. In North America, escapes from cultivation are most common in New England, New York City and the Pacific Northwest. It is planted in many temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere, most commonly in New Zealand and on the Falkland Islands. The popular cultivar 'Brilliantissimum' is notable for the bright salmon-pink colour of the young foliage.
Sycamore is planted for timber production; the wood is white with a silky lustre, and hard-wearing, used for furniture and flooring. Occasional trees produce wood with a wavy grain, greatly increasing the value for decorative veneers. European sycamore is a traditional wood used in creating necks, backs, and scrolls for violins.
Sycamore flowers produce abundant nectar, which makes a fragrant, delicately flavoured and pale-coloured honey.
References
- ^ Preston, Pearman & Dines (2002) New Atlas of the British Flora. Oxford University Press.
- Humphries C.J., Press J.R. and Sutton D.A. : Trees of Britain and Europe (Hamlyn guide); The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1992; ISBN 0-600-57511-X
- Hessayon Dr. D.G. The Tree & Shrub Expert, ISBN 0-903505-17-7
See also
 Stage 1 |
 Stage 2 |
 Stage 3 |
 Stage 4 |
Stages in opening leaf buds.
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