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Acer pseudoplatanus

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore, Sycamore maple, Great maple

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Description

Acer pseudoplatanus is native to Central and Southern Europe and extends eastward to the Caucasus, where it commonly grows together with Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, and Tilia cordata. The tree has also become naturalized in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It is a large, strongly growing species that can reach a height of approximately twenty five to thirty meters and a width of twenty to twenty five meters. The crown is ovate to rounded and densely branched, providing deep shade.

The leaves of the sycamore maple emerge from green buds. They are palmately lobed with five blunt lobes. The upper surface is green, while the underside is gray and hairy. In autumn, the foliage turns a golden yellow color. Unlike Acer platanoides, no milky sap is present in the leaf stalks. In April, Acer pseudoplatanus flowers at the same time as leaf emergence, producing pendulous yellow green flower clusters that attract many bees. After flowering, paired winged fruits develop, known as samaras, with the wings set at a sharp to right angle. On young trees, the bark is gray brown and smooth, later cracking into loose, decorative flakes as the tree ages.

Acer pseudoplatanus is very suitable for parks, avenue plantings, landscape gardens, and woodland edges. It tolerates sea winds, air pollution, moderate drought, and shade, making it an excellent choice for challenging growing conditions. The tree has minimal soil requirements but performs best on fertile, moist soils. A planting position in full sun to partial shade is ideal. Although the species is considered mildly invasive in some regions, it remains a robust and valuable tree with high ecological importance.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees trees for climbing shade trees woodland planting stock

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside ecological zone windbreak coastal area

Pavement

none none open open

Planting concepts

eco planting landscape planting urban planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

25 - 30 m

Width

20 - 25 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies birds nectar value 5 pollen value 5

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Acer pseudoplatanus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer pseudoplatanus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer pseudoplatanus standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Acer pseudoplatanus standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer pseudoplatanus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer pseudoplatanus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer pseudoplatanus multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Acer pseudoplatanus multi-stem
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
flowers flowers
Acer pseudoplatanus flowers
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
leaves leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus leaves
fruits fruits
Acer pseudoplatanus fruits
fruits fruits
Acer pseudoplatanus fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Acer pseudoplatanus autumn leaves
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
bark bark
Acer pseudoplatanus bark
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs
twigs twigs
Acer pseudoplatanus twigs

Flowers

Flowers

raceme pendulous

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze green underside grey

Leaves

deciduous underside hairy serrate lobate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

cinnamon-brown

Fruits

winged

Bark

Bark colour

pale brown

Bark

peeling

Twigs

Twig colour

cinnamon-brown

Twigs

bare

Root system

Root system

deep extensive highly branched

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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