1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Introduced to Britain from continental Europe around the 15th–16th century. Now widespread and naturalised, often considered invasive due to prolific seeding.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous – leaves fall in autumn.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Large (10–25 cm), 5-lobed, with pointed lobes and coarse teeth. Often darker green above and paler beneath. Infected leaves often develop dark spots caused by Rhytisma acerinum (tar spot fungus). Arranged opposite on twigs.
Bark: Grey, smooth when young, becoming rough and flaking in irregular patches with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Small green-yellow flowers appear in drooping clusters in late spring. Fruits are pairs of winged seeds (samaras), with the wings forming a wide angle. Seeds produced in large numbers and germinate easily.
Overall shape: A large, broad-crowned tree with an often domed canopy and sturdy trunk.
4. Typical Size
17–22 m tall; crown spread 15–20 m.
5. Habitat & Range
Now naturalised across the UK. Thrives in a wide range of soils and conditions, from coastal cliffs to uplands. Extremely tolerant of pollution, wind, and exposure.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Large, lobed, maple-like leaves with blunt teeth.
Tar spot fungus often present on leaves.
Abundant winged seeds (“helicopters”) in late summer.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Fresh green leaves unfurl; flowers appear.
Summer: Dense green canopy, heavy shade.
Autumn: Seeds ripen and fall in huge numbers; leaves turn dull yellow-brown.
Winter: Bare branches; grey bark sometimes flaking in plates.
8. Human Uses
Timber is pale, fine-grained, and valued for furniture, flooring, kitchenware, and musical instruments (violins, harps).
Commonly planted for shelterbelts, shade, and as a landscape tree.
Historically used in estate plantings and avenues.
9. Wildlife Value
Flowers provide nectar for bees, hoverflies, and other insects.
Seeds eaten by birds and small mammals.
Dense canopy shades out ground flora, often reducing plant diversity.
Host to lichens, though less valuable than native broadleaves.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Although non-native, sycamore is now a dominant feature of many UK woodlands and urban landscapes.
The “Tolpuddle Martyrs” met beneath a sycamore tree in Dorset in 1834, making it a symbol of protest and trade union history.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Extremely adaptable; grows in clay, loam, sand, acidic, or alkaline soils.
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly until established; tolerates drought once mature.
Spacing: Allow 8–12 m between trees.
Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Prune only to remove deadwood or shape young trees. Very vigorous – may self-seed aggressively.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Excellent for city planting due to pollution and wind tolerance; widely used in streets and parks.
Garden: Suitable for very large gardens or estates; too big and invasive for small gardens. Seedlings may spread widely.