How to identify Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Sycamore, also known as Great maple, Plane maple, Lock-and-key-tree
Sycamore exhibits a substantial, domed profile with a height generally ranging from 40 to 60 feet (12-18 meters), although on rare occasions it can reach up to 115 feet (35 meters). The foliage is composed of broad, green leaves that exhibit five lobes, much like the outstretched hand, with a gentle serration along the margins. The trunk anchors itself prominently, dividing into large, sturdy branches that give way to a widespread canopy. This tree, during the appropriate season, bears winged seeds that twirl to the ground, known as samaras.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Leaves are broad, 5-lobed, and serrated, resembling an outstretched hand, reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm).
Fruit consists of 2-inch (5 cm) winged samaras with twin wings forming a 60-degree angle for wind dispersal.
Trunk bark showcases flaking layers, revealing vibrant orange inner bark, transitioning from smooth to rugged textures.
Stem is robust, gray-brown, slightly four-sided, with distinct leaf scars not meeting, supporting a widespread canopy.
Flowers are modest, yellow-green, fragrant-less, cluster in panicles up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) long during spring.
The leaves of sycamore are leathery and coarsely-serrate, showcasing a prominently-veined structure. Each leaf is 5-lobed and spans up to 6 inches (15 cm) across. They are dark green on the surface and present a dull green hue beneath. Their unique texture and vein pattern are distinctively prominent, without producing any notable fall color changes.
The flowers of sycamore are small and yellow-green, forming in loose, pendulous panicles up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) long. Each flower has a subtle, delicate structure and appears in clusters during the spring, following the emergence of the plant's foliage. The petals are inconspicuous, contributing to the overall sense of the flower being modest yet intricate in its arrangement. These flowers lack a strong scent, reflecting their understated presence in the ecosystem.
The stem of sycamore is characterized by its glabrous, gray-brown appearance. It features a dull surface with lenticels and a slightly four-sided structure. The stem is robust and thick, displaying leaf scars that do not meet. Typically, it branches in a pattern that highlights its sturdy and somewhat irregular form. These distinctive characteristics make it easily identifiable, with an overall structure conducive to supporting the plant's canopy.
The fruit of sycamore is characterized by distinctive winged samaras, each reaching up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length. These samaras possess twin wings that extend outward, forming a notable angle of approximately 60 degrees. As they mature in early autumn, they exhibit a papery texture and are often a brown or tan color, blending seamlessly with the fall foliage. The samaras are cleverly adapted for wind dispersal, efficiently spreading their seeds over a wide area. Upon landing in a suitable environment, the seeds encounter little difficulty in germinating, quickly taking root in their new location.
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Scientific Classification of Sycamore
