Common Name: Sycamore

General Information

Acer pseudoplatanus is a deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading crown; it can reach a height of 30 metres or more at maturity, though is more likely to be within the range of 12 - 18 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 180cm or more in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes planted for its wood and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental and street tree.
Commonly planted, the sycamore is a fairly aggressive tree and often self-sows freely. It can escape from cultivation, invading open spaces and woodland, and inhibiting the growth of nearby plants[, ]. It can supplant native trees, at least in the short-term, though recent evidence in Britain suggests that in the long term it does not usually become a dominant tree in British woodlands and it is sometimes recommended for planting by the Forestry Commission in new woodlands there[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Denmark south to Spain, east to the Caucasus

Habitat

Found in woodland, hedgerows etc. in Britain, in all but very poor soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acer pseudoplatanus is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant[].
Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil and a sunny position[, ], but tolerates most conditions including poor soils and some shade[, , ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Chlorosis can sometimes develop as a result of iron deficiency when the plants are grown in alkaline soils, but in general maples are not fussy as to soil pH. Dislikes wet soils[]. Grows better in the cooler areas of the country[]. A very tough plant, tolerating urban pollutants and is also very wind-resistant, tolerating maritime exposure though in such a position it is often wind and salt pruned in very exposed areas[, , ].
The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates. The flow is best on warm sunny days following a frost.
Plants are subject to sooty bark disease - this is not fatal and occurs most often in years that follow hot summers[].
There are many named forms that have been selected for their ornamental value[].
Trees take 25 years to come into bearing from seed[].

Edible Uses

The sap contains sugar and can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water[]. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. It can be harvested in late winter but is not produced in economic quantities[, , , ]. About 25 grams of sugar is obtained from a litre of the sap[]. The sap can also be used to make a wine[].

The keys of the developing seeds have a sweet exudation on them and this is often sucked by children[].

The leaves can be wrapped round food such as buns when baking them and they impart a sweet flavour[].

Medicinal

The bark has mild astringent properties and has been used to make a wash for skin problems and an eyewash for sore eyes[].

The inner bark of the tree, containing the sweet sap, can be used as a dressing for wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The trees are fast-growing and make a good windbreak for exposed and maritime areas[, ]. It is often used in shelterbelt plantings[].
Sycamore usually self-sows freely and is often the first tree to invade disused farmland, cleared woodland etc. Its ability to tolerate difficult environments make it a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. Although it has an invasive habit, research has shown that, at least in Britain, it is usually gradually displaced over a period of 200 years or more by native species until it becomes just a minor component of the woodland[].

Other Uses

We have two reports that the leaves of maple species, when laid in layers between crops such as apples, carrots and potatoes, have a preservative effect[, ]. The reports do not name any specific species[].

The heartwood is white and not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The wood is very hard, heavy, elastic, easy to work, fairly resistant to insects. It is used for carving, small domestic items, veneer etc[, , , ].
The wood is a good fuel and also makes a good charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. Seed should not be dried below 35% moisture[]. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[, ]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions.
Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus.
Cuttings of young shoots in early summer . The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter.
Cultivars can be budded onto rootstocks of the species. Any grafting is best carried out in September rather than late winter.