World Plants

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore Maple)

Michael's Opinion

A European variety that is seldom used in North America since it might possibly be considered somewhat invasive. A. pseudoplatanus can reach a height of 20 plus metres and is a broad, dense canopied tree. Since it occurs in lean, often poor soils it can be used in similar situations in the landscape. A wonderful tree where room permits, such as parks and institutional settings. Best planted where the full form of the tree can be appreciated.

Botanical Information

Family	Sapindaceae (Aceraceae)
Genus	Acer
Species	pseudoplatanus
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (deciduous)
Origin	Eastern Europe.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	5
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	4 - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	(-29) - (-23)
Temperature (°F)	(-20) - (-10)
Height	20 m
Spread	12 m
Growth	Medium
Flowering Period	May

Description and Growing Information

General Description	A large tree with a somewhat rounded canopy casting dark shade. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
ID Characteristic	It can easily be distinguished from most maples because of its deeply set venation and it's extremely long petiole (10 cm or greater).
Shape	Large rounded crown.
Landscape	Parks, institutional landscapes and estates where room is not an issue. A. pseudoplatanus is somewhat salt tolerant and hence it may find limited use as a street tree, especially within developments that have private roads but sufficient space for the tree to develop.
Propagation	Seed which requires stratification, 5 ï¿½C for a minimum of 90 days in moist peat moss.
Cultivation	Easy to grow, tolerant of lean soils and winter salt.
Pests	It suffers from aphid infestations and the associated sooty mold.
Notable Specimens	University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.
Habitat	Mountains of Eastern Europe.
Bark/Stem Description	Orangish inner bark covered with irregular exfoliating scales that are light grey in colour.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Terminal buds are prominent remaining green throughout the winter and are similar in size and form to A. plantanoides.
Leaf Description	Deeply veined, opposite, 3-5 lobed, dark green above and light grey green below. Deeply veined with an extremely long petiole.
Flower Description	Yellowish green flowers on upright panicles to 15 cm.
Fruit Description	Samara, ripe in early autumn about 5 cm long.
Colour Description	Dark green in the summer with silver undersides to the leaves and turning a dull, mucky brown in the autumn.
Texture Description	Rough textured leaves because of the deep venation, smooth on the upper surface.