Sycamore Maple Acer pseudoplatanus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser soo-doh-PLA-ta-nus
- Description
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Sycamore maple or planetree maple is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to northwest/Central Europe and Western Asia. It is a rounded, spreading, tree that grows 40-60’ (less frequently to 115’) tall.
This tree is tolerant of various soils, drought, pollution and salty air. It grows in full sun to partial shade down to zone 7. It isn't particularly ornament and can become weedy and invasive. The winged seeds are carried by the wind and readily germinate just about anywhere. In some parts of New England, it has been banned from being planted.
Quick ID
- exfoliating bark
- bud remains green throughout the winter
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Canker is an issue for this tree. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Atropurpureum'
Dark, showy foliage. - 'Brilliantissimum'
Young foliage shrimp-pink. - 'Esk Sunset'
Showy foliage. - 'Nizetii'
Variegated foliage. - Purpureum
Green to blue-green leaves. Underside light green with red/purple tinge.
- 'Atropurpureum'
- 'Atropurpureum', 'Brilliantissimum', 'Esk Sunset', 'Nizetii', Purpureum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Atropurpureum'
Dark, showy foliage. - 'Brilliantissimum'
Young foliage shrimp-pink. - 'Esk Sunset'
Showy foliage. - 'Nizetii'
Variegated foliage. - Purpureum
Green to blue-green leaves. Underside light green with red/purple tinge.
- 'Atropurpureum'
- 'Atropurpureum', 'Brilliantissimum', 'Esk Sunset', 'Nizetii', Purpureum
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- pseudoplatanus
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Shade tree
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northwest/central Europe and western Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Salt and air pollution tolerant, tolerant of some drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Samaras (to 2” long) with wings typically forming a 60-degree angle. Samaras mature in early autumn and are spread by the wind. Seeds readily germinate.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant , yellow-green flowers appear in panicles (to 5” long) in spring after the foliage emerges.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery, coarsely-serrate, prominently-veined, 5-lobed, dark green leaves (to 6” across) are dull green beneath. Leaves produce no fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Rectangle
- Bark Description:
- Bark on mature trunks will flake, exposing inner orange bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Glabrous, gray-brown, dull, lenticelled, slightly 4-sided, leaf scars that do not meet.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Pollution
- Salt
- Problems:
- Weedy
