Acer pseudoplatanus - Great Maple - €8 per plant

Great Maple, or Sycamore trees are fast-growing and make a excellent windbreak for exposed and maritime areas due to their tolerance of both conditions. This species usually self-sows freely and its ability to tolerate difficult conditions make it a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. ​An excellent tree for biodiversity, attractive to aphids and therefore many of their predators. A good bee plant as both male and female flowers provide a good source of pollen and nectar. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Britain, Europe
  • native habitat: Woodlands and hedgerows 
  • family: Aceraceae

Pest and Predators

  • The horse chestnut scale insect (Pulvinaria regalis) sucks sap from the trunk and branches, but does not cause serious damage to the tree.​​
  • The sycamore gall mite produces small red galls

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or Full sun
  • soil pH: Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 - 7
  • Prefers well drained
  • Can tolerate heavy clay soils
  • Can tolerate nutritionally poor soils
  • ​Can tolerate maritime exposure

Known hazards 


  • None known

Overview


  • Deciduous Tree growing to 30 m by 15 m at a fast rate ​
  • It is in flower in April - June
  • Seeds ripen September - October
  • The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).​
  • Pollinated by wind and insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) and can grow in very heavy soil
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade or full sun.
  •  It prefers well drained soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Tree
  • layer: Upper canopy
  • habit: Spreading crown
  • height (m): 30

Products & Uses

  • Flowers: Small, green-yellow and hang in spikes,
  • Seeds: Female flowers develop into distinctive winged fruits known as samaras, what we referred to as children as 'helicopters' :)
  • Wood: Hard-wearing, white or cream close-grained timber that turns golden with age. The wood can be worked and sawn in any direction, used for making musical instruments, furniture, joinery, wood flooring and parquetry. Because it is non-staining, is used for kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, bowls, rolling pins and chopping boards.
  • Leaves: Five lobes, palmate shaped. Leaf stalks of younger trees are red. Attractive autumn colours.
  • Medicinal: The bark has mild astringent properties and has been used to make a wash for skin problems​

Functions, behaviours

  • Good biodiversity plant which is associated with a biodiverse range of invertebrates and fungi.
  • Excellent bee plant as both male and female flowers produce abundant nectar.​
  • Can live up to 400 years
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project