The largest and hardiest maple in north-west Europe, despite originating in warmer climes. Also called Sycamore Maple, and Plane in Scotland. Considered a neophyte in Britain and Ireland (introduced by 1578 if not earlier). In its native range it grows in montane forests, often with European Beech or Silver Fir, and lower down with Black Alder, Horse Chestnut and Common Walnut; only the most acidic or waterlogged soils deter it.
Native to much of central Europe; non-native in Britain, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, though this is disputed since its pollen is hard to distinguish or preserve. Its range extends east through Turkey, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Hungary and Ukraine. It is very widely naturalised in Britain and Ireland, absent only from some of Scotland's highest mountains.
Monoecious, with yellow-green flowers in pendulous panicles. Insect-pollinated. The double samaras disperse by gravity and wind, letting it colonise new ground rapidly. Despite its pioneer qualities it is also long-lived (500 years) and holds its own among other broadleaves in mixed forest.
Large (40m), with a spreading canopy of sweeping branches, found on exposed coasts, mixed woods and as scattered upland farmland trees, its broad dome synonymous with otherwise treeless landscapes such as the Yorkshire Dales. The 'Sycamore Gap Tree' on Hadrian's Wall became world-famous when illegally felled in 2023 and is now regrowing. Bark grey, broad-plated, peeling. Twigs red-brown and stout; buds ovoid, opposite, greening turning red as they flush. Leaves large (20cm), palmate with five pointed lobes, dark green above, pale below, coarsely serrate, on a long (5-20cm) grooved red-green petiole without milky sap. Flower panicles pendulous (10-25cm), May-June after leaf-flush. Samaras ('keys', 4-5cm) with wings at 90 degrees, often persisting into winter. Norway Maple differs: red-brown buds, whiskered toothed leaves, milky sap.
This species needs little encouragement to thrive almost anywhere under any management. An excellent shelterbelt choice, including exposed coasts, tolerating salt spray. Its timber is valuable, especially if pruned to a clean 3m stem. Two forms exist, f. purpureum (purple leaf undersides) and f. variegatum (yellow-white splashed leaves), both with popular ornamental cultivars.
Sycamore divides conservationist opinion, valued for supporting hundreds of insect species and a niche for wildlife associated with threatened Common Ash, but disliked for suppressing ground flora. Sticky leaf drips are 'honeydew' from feeding aphids.
Vulnerable to bark-stripping by Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Leaves often visibly infected by tar-spot fungus Rhytisma acerinum but not harmful, but the fungus sooty bark disease Cryptostroma corticale can kill trees.
Sycamore is the highest yielding broadleaved tree in British and Irish forests. Produces an excellent pale and attractive hardwood timber. Timber with beautiful ripple figure is especially valuable; the ‘fiddleback’ used in making musical string instruments.
