Sycamore maple
Also known as
Sycamore, European sycamore, Great maple, Scottish maple, Plane maple
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Sycamore maple
Acer pseudoplatanus, commonly called sycamore maple, is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to Central Europe and Western Asia. It typically reaches 20–35 m tall with a broad, rounded crown. Young bark is smooth and grey, becoming scaly and flaking into plates with age. Leaves are opposite, 5-lobed, and coarsely toothed, 10–25 cm across, dark green above with paler undersides. Greenish-yellow flowers open in late spring as leaves expand, borne in pendent panicles that give way to paired, winged samaras which ripen in autumn and disperse widely. The species is notably tolerant of wind, salt spray, pollution, and compacted or disturbed soils, making it valuable in urban and coastal landscapes. It prefers deep, moist, well-drained loams but adapts to acidic through calcareous substrates. Long-lived and resilient, it can self-seed prolifically and is invasive outside its native range, particularly in the British Isles and New Zealand. The pale, fine-grained wood is used in joinery and musical instruments. As a landscape tree, it offers dense shade and shelter but benefits from management to limit unwanted seedlings.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Sycamore maple
Water
Water newly planted sycamore maples deeply once weekly for the first 2–3 growing seasons, soaking the root ball and surrounding soil to 20–30 cm depth. Provide roughly 15–30 liters per watering for small trees, more for larger stock, adjusting for rainfall and soil type. Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged; once established, the species tolerates short dry spells. Apply 5–8 cm of mulch to conserve moisture. In containers, water when the top 3–5 cm of mix is dry and ensure excellent drainage.
Light
Grow in full sun to light shade. In cool or maritime climates, full sun promotes dense crowns and sturdy growth. In hotter inland regions, provide afternoon shade on exposed, dry sites to reduce leaf scorch. Seedlings tolerate shade, but long-term deep shade reduces vigor and form. Aim for at least 4–6 hours of direct light. Variegated cultivars need more protection from intense sun; the green species handles high light and wind if soil moisture is adequate.
Nutrients
Established sycamore maples seldom require fertilizer on reasonable soils. In early spring, top-dress the root zone with 2–5 cm of well-rotted compost or leaf mold to improve structure and nutrient availability. If growth is weak or soil is poor, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 8-3-5 to 12-6-6) at label rates. Avoid heavy nitrogen that drives soft, pest-prone growth. Container-grown trees benefit from controlled-release fertilizer with micronutrients. In cold climates, stop fertilizing by midsummer so new wood hardens before winter.
Temperature
Hardy to about USDA Zone 4 (approximately −30 to −34°C), Acer pseudoplatanus thrives in cool to mild temperate climates. It tolerates wind and coastal exposure but may struggle in persistently hot, dry regions, especially with temperatures exceeding 35°C. Late spring frosts can nip new growth but trees usually recover. In hot-summer areas, favor cooler microclimates with ample soil volume and mulch to keep roots cool. Unsuitable for tropical climates lacking winter chill and where sustained high heat and drought are common.
