Scientific Name

Acer pseudoplatanus

Common Name

Sycamore

Type

Woody perennial tree

Description

Upright woody thick stem. Mid green leaves with five lobes, set in opposite pairs. Green-yellow leaves hang in clusters in June pollinated by bees. Helicopter shaped fruits ripen in autumn.

Habitat

Coloniser of bare ground and woodland.

Folklore

Introduced from France in Middle Ages. Used as wood for carpentry.

Soil Fertility

Deep rich

Soil Moisture

Moist, well drained

Soil pH

All

Sunlight

Full Sun/Shade

Success

Retains buds in winter. Grows anywhere. Helicopter shaped leaves help dispersal over large areas by wind. Flowers pollinated by bees. Seed leaves are green in the husk. Survives harsh winds, pollution.

Importance

Serious weed of woods.

Cultural Control

(1.5)

Chemical Control

(3.2.3) on seedlings.