Sycamore Maple

Scientific Name: Acer pseudoplatanus

Plant Family: Sapindaceae

Native Region: Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Western Asia; now naturalized in many temperate regions including North America.

Sycamore Maple

Brief Description

A large deciduous tree known for its broad, five-lobed leaves and distinctive peeling bark on older specimens. The leaves are dark green above and often have a lighter, slightly glaucous underside.

Care Instructions

This is a hardy, fast-growing tree that requires minimal maintenance once established. Plant in a location with plenty of room to grow. It prefers consistent moisture and full sun to partial shade.

Medicinal Value

We do not currently provide medicinal value for plant identifications.

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade; ideally 6+ hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth.

Watering

Moderate watering needs. Young trees require regular watering to establish roots; mature trees are relatively drought-tolerant but prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil.

Soil

Adaptable to many soil types including clay, loam, and sand. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 8.0 and requires good drainage.

Hardiness Zone

4 to 7

Growth Habit

Large deciduous perennial tree with a rounded, spreading crown. Can reach heights of 60-100 feet with a similar spread. Fast growth rate when young.

Bloom Season

Spring (April-May). Produces yellowish-green flowers in drooping clusters (panicles), followed by winged seeds called samaras.

Toxicity

Seeds and seedlings contain Hypoglycin A, which is highly toxic to horses if ingested, causing Atypical Myopathy. It is generally non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats.

Propagation

Propagated primarily through seeds (stratification required) or by softwood cuttings in early summer.

Common Pests & Issues

Susceptible to Sooty Bark Disease (Cryptostroma corticale), aphids, and leaf spot fungus (Tar Spot). It is also considered invasive in some parts of North America and Australasia.

Similar Species

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) which has milky sap in leaf petioles, and Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) which has alternate leaves (maples are opposite).

Interesting Facts

The name 'pseudoplatanus' means 'false plane tree' because its leaves look like those of the Plane tree. It is famously salt-tolerant, making it a common choice for coastal plantings.

Created At: 2026-05-05T07:33:34.716067