Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
Up to 40m in favourable conditions 1
35m 5
30m 6
35m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Ovoid to globular, broad, capable of exceeding 20m 1
At least 8m 2
Very spreading, broadly domed crown 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (550 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.:
Dense 1
Moderate when young 3

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Late (May to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 1 to high 2

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: 400+ years 2 or 500 years 8

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Arable or pasture 15
Lowland and upland 2
Tolerant of upland conditions 1, or even very well adapted 3

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability:
Can be coppiced 1 up to 80-100 years old 3
Can be pollarded 1

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree:
Fast growing 1
Requires protection from high herbivore pressure 3
Intolerant of competition from grasses 6

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.:
Minimal or no pruning 1
Usually self-prune well, but any pruning should be done in summer 3

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Summer or winter (mid) 1

The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree [was] an Acer pseudoplatanus standing next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Crag Lough and Once Brewed village are nearby/ Gordon Leggett/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Timber 12
Max YC 12 42

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood 3

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Typically 65-75 year timber rotation 68, up to 100 years 8

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Moderate – shallow to moderate root depth and large canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): High
Medium-term (40 years): High
Long-term (60 years): High

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Recent introduction (neophyte) – naturalised 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
High 5
Highest value for foliage invertebrates, leaf litter, and epiphyte communities 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Apr-Jun 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Moderate to high 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: Seeds and seedlings can be toxic to horses (atpyical myopathy) 6

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Can become a weed 12, self-sows freely 7

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Susceptible to sooty bark and other fungal diseases, but serious outbreaks are rare 35
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
Susceptible to horse chestnut scale 3 and Sycamore aphid 5
May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
Susceptible to squirrel damage 4, which limits it potential considerably 5
Less favoured by rabbits and deer 5
Moderate sensitivity to browsing 7, moderate palatability 8