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+ 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 �C 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. |
Photographs
![Acer pseudoplatanus, form. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Acer pseudoplatanus, form. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.](photos/Form-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, form. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.
![Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.](photos/Leaves-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.
![](photos/Bud-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
![Acer pseudoplatanus, flower. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Acer pseudoplatanus, flower. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.](photos/Flower-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, flower. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.
![](photos/Bark-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
![Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.](photos/Fruit-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.
![Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada. Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.](photos/Autumn-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. University of Western Ontario, south of the McIntosh Gallery, London, Ontario, Canada.
![Acer pseudoplatanus, form. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom. Acer pseudoplatanus, form. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.](photos/Acer-pesedoplantanus-frm.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, form. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.
![Acer pseudoplatanus, bark. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom. Acer pseudoplatanus, bark. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.](photos/Acer-pesedoplantanus-brk.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, bark. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.
![Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom. Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.](photos/Acer-pesedoplantanus-lf.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus, leaf. Godolphin House, Helston, United Kingdom.
![](photos/Young-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
![Maple tar spot in late summer. Maple tar spot in late summer.](photos/Tar-Spot-pseudoplatanus.jpg)
Maple tar spot in late summer.
![Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii' Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii'](photos/Form-Leopoldii.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leopoldii'
![Acer pseudoplatanus 'Atropurpureum' Acer pseudoplatanus 'Atropurpureum'](photos/Form-Atropurpureum.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Atropurpureum'
![Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum'](photos/Form-Brilliantissimum.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum'
![Acer pseudoplatanus 'Variegatum' Acer pseudoplatanus 'Variegatum'](photos/Form-Variegatum.jpg)
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Variegatum'
![Acer pseudoplantanus 'Eskimo Sunset' Acer pseudoplantanus 'Eskimo Sunset'](photos/Form-Acer-pseudoplatanus-Eskimo-Sunset.jpg)
Acer pseudoplantanus 'Eskimo Sunset'