Difference between revisions of "Sycamore Maple"

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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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{{SPlantbox
| name = ''Acer pseudoplatanus''
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|familia=Aceraceae
| common_names = Sycamore Maple
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|genus=Acer
| growth_habit = deciduous tree
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|species=pseudoplatanus
| high = 20-35 m
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|common_name=Sycamore Maple
| wide = 1-2 m trunk diameter
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|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| origin = Europe, SW Asia
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|habit=tree
| poisonous =     <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| lifespan = perennial
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|Max ht box=100
| exposure =     <!--- sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
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|Max ht metric=ft
| water =     <!--- frequent, regular, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
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|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| features =     <!--- flowers, fragrance, naturalizes, invasive -->
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|Max wd box=80
| hardiness =     -40[[Celsius|°C]]
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|Max wd metric=ft
| bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for it's flowers -->
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|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| usda_zones =     <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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|origin=Europe, SW Asia
| sunset_zones = 2-9, 14-20, 31-41
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|lifespan=perennial
| color = IndianRed
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|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| image = Upload.png  <!--- Freesia.jpg -->
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|exposure=sun
| image_width = 240px    <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| image_caption =    <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
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|features=deciduous
|regnum = Plantae
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|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring
|unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
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|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|unranked_classis = Eudicots
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|Min Temp Num=-40
|unranked_ordo = Rosids
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|Temp Metric=°C
|ordo = Sapindales
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|min_zone=4
|familia = Sapindaceae
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|genus = Acer
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|max_zone=8
|species = pseudoplatanus
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|sunset_zones=2-9, 14-20, 31-41
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|image=Acer-pseudoplatanus.JPG
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|image_width=240
 
}}
 
}}
{{edit-desc}}<!--- Type GENERAL genus/plant description below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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'''''Acer pseudoplatanus''''', '''Sycamore''' (or '''Sycamore Maple''', to distinguish it from other plants called [[sycamore]]) is a species of [[maple]] native to central [[Europe]] and southwestern [[Asia]], from [[France]] east to [[Ukraine]], and south in mountains to northern [[Spain]], northern [[Turkey]], and the [[Caucasus]].<ref name=fe>Flora Europaea: [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Acer&SPECIES_XREF=pseudoplatanus&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= ''Acer pseudoplatanus'']</ref><ref name=rushforth>Rushforth, K. (1999). ''Trees of Britain and Europe''. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.</ref> In [[Scotland]], the Sycamore is known as the Plane tree, although it is not a member of the ''[[Platanus]]'' [[genus]].
  
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It is a large [[deciduous]] [[tree]] that reaches 20–35 m tall at maturity, with a broad, domed crown. On young trees, the [[bark]] is smooth and grey but becomes rougher with age and breaks up in scales, exposing the pale-brown-to-pinkish inner bark. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are opposite, 10–25&nbsp;cm long and broad with a 5–15&nbsp;cm petiole, palmately veined with five lobes with toothed edges, and dark green in colour; some [[cultivar]]s have purple-tinged or yellowish leaves. The leaves are often marked with black spots or patches which are caused by the fungus [[Rhytisma acerinum]]<ref>http://www.garden-centre.org/Sycamore.htm Sycamore profile</ref>.
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The monoecious yellow-green [[flower]]s are produced in spring on 10–20&nbsp;cm pendulous [[raceme]]s, with 20-50 flowers on each stalk. The 5–10&nbsp;mm diameter [[seed]]s are paired in [[Samara (fruit)|samara]]s, each seed with a 20–40&nbsp;mm long wing to catch the wind and rotate when they fall; this helps them to spread further from the parent tree. The seeds are mature in autumn about 6 months after pollination.<ref name=rushforth/><ref name=humphries>Humphries, C. J., Press, J. R., & Sutton, D. A. (1992). ''Trees of Britain and Europe''. Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. ISBN 0-600-57511-X.</ref>
  
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The flowers produce abundant nectar, which makes a fragrant, delicately flavoured and pale-coloured honey.
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{{Inc|
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Acer pseudoplatanus, Linn. Sycamore Maple. Tree, 70 ft. high: lvs. 5-lobed. coarsely crenate-serrate, 3 1/2-7 in. across, deep green above, glaucous and mostly glabrous beneath: racemes pendulous: fr. glabrous. Eu., Caucasus. —Large tree of vigorous growth, with large, spreading head; thrives well even in exposed situations. Many varieties and garden forms: Var. villosum, Presl. Lvs. chartaceous, pubescent beneath. Var. erythrocarpum, Carr. Fr. right red: lvs. smaller and more lustrous. Var. purpurascens, Pax (vars. purpureum and atropurpureum, Hort.). Lvs. purplish red beneath; of robust growth. Var. Handjeryi, Spaeth (var. Prinz, Handjery, Hort.). Lvs. purplish beneath, bright red when unfolding. Var. Worleei, Schwerin (var. lutescens, Hort.). Lvs. yellow. Var. albo-variegatum, Kirchn. Lvs. with white blotches and spots, reddish while young. Var. Leopoldii, Lem. Similar to the preceding variety; bright rosy pink while young. Var. bicolor, Spaeth. Lvs. light green while young, with yellow, finally whitish, spots. Var. tricolor, Kirchn. Lvs. purplish while young, spotted with yellow. Var. quadricolor, Schwerin (var. Simonii Pax. var. Simon-Louis freres, Deegen). Lvs. with large, white spots and also sprinkled with small dots; pink while young. Var. nervosum, Schwerin. Habit pyramidal, of slow growth: lvs. marked with yellow between the veins above, purplish beneath.
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}}
 
:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Acer|genus page]].''
 
:''More information about this species can be found on the [[Acer|genus page]].''
  
 
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
{{monthbox
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It is noted for its tolerance of wind, [[urban area|urban]] [[pollution]] and [[sodium chloride|salt]] spray, which makes it a popular tree for planting in [[city|cities]], along [[road]]s treated with salt in winter, and in [[coast]]al localities. It is cultivated and widely [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] north of its native range in northern Europe, notably in the [[British Isles]] and [[Scandinavia]] north to [[Tromsø]], [[Norway]] (can ripen seeds north to [[Vesterålen]]); [[Reykjavík]], [[Iceland]]; and [[Torshavn]] on the [[Faroe Islands]]. It now occurs throughout the [[British Isles]], having been introduced in the 17th century.<ref>Preston, Pearman & Dines. (2002). ''New Atlas of the British Flora''. Oxford University Press.</ref>
| color = IndianRed
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| name = Sycamore Maple
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In [[North America]], escapes from cultivation are most common in [[New England]], [[New York City]] and the [[Pacific Northwest]]. It is planted in many temperate parts of the [[Southern Hemisphere]], most commonly in [[New Zealand]] and on the [[Falkland Islands]].
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The popular cultivar 'Brilliantissimum' is notable for the bright salmon-pink colour of the young foliage.
| mar =
 
| apr =
 
| may =
 
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| jul =
 
| aug =
 
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| oct =
 
| nov =
 
| dec =
 
| notes =
 
}}
 
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
 
  
 
===Propagation===
 
===Propagation===
{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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The sycamore is able to produce suckers from roots when they are exposed to sunlight after the mature tree has fallen.
  
 
===Pests and diseases===
 
===Pests and diseases===
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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Image:Acer pseudoplatanus textura del tronco.jpg|Sycamore maple bark on a mature tree
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Image:Sycamore damage dby grey squirrels.JPG‎|Sycamore bark stripped off by Grey Squirrels looking for the sugary bark phloem layer.
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Maple leaves.jpg|Leaves
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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Image:Acer, stage 4.JPG|Stage 4
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 01:32, 29 October 2010


Acer-pseudoplatanus.JPG


Plant Characteristics
Habit   tree

Height: 100 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 100.
Width: 80 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 80.
Lifespan: perennial
Origin: Europe, SW Asia
Bloom: early spring, mid spring, late spring
Cultivation
Exposure: sun
Features: deciduous
Minimum Temp: -40°C-40 °F <br />233.15 K <br />419.67 °R <br />
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Sunset Zones: 2-9, 14-20, 31-41
Scientific Names

Aceraceae >

Acer >

pseudoplatanus >


Acer pseudoplatanus, Sycamore (or Sycamore Maple, to distinguish it from other plants called sycamore) is a species of maple native to central Europe and southwestern Asia, from France east to Ukraine, and south in mountains to northern Spain, northern Turkey, and the Caucasus.[1][2] In Scotland, the Sycamore is known as the Plane tree, although it is not a member of the Platanus genus.

It is a large deciduous tree that reaches 20–35 m tall at maturity, with a broad, domed crown. On young trees, the bark is smooth and grey but becomes rougher with age and breaks up in scales, exposing the pale-brown-to-pinkish inner bark. The leaves are opposite, 10–25 cm long and broad with a 5–15 cm petiole, palmately veined with five lobes with toothed edges, and dark green in colour; some cultivars have purple-tinged or yellowish leaves. The leaves are often marked with black spots or patches which are caused by the fungus Rhytisma acerinum[3]. The monoecious yellow-green flowers are produced in spring on 10–20 cm pendulous racemes, with 20-50 flowers on each stalk. The 5–10 mm diameter seeds are paired in samaras, each seed with a 20–40 mm long wing to catch the wind and rotate when they fall; this helps them to spread further from the parent tree. The seeds are mature in autumn about 6 months after pollination.[2][4]

The flowers produce abundant nectar, which makes a fragrant, delicately flavoured and pale-coloured honey.


Read about Sycamore Maple in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Acer pseudoplatanus, Linn. Sycamore Maple. Tree, 70 ft. high: lvs. 5-lobed. coarsely crenate-serrate, 3 1/2-7 in. across, deep green above, glaucous and mostly glabrous beneath: racemes pendulous: fr. glabrous. Eu., Caucasus. —Large tree of vigorous growth, with large, spreading head; thrives well even in exposed situations. Many varieties and garden forms: Var. villosum, Presl. Lvs. chartaceous, pubescent beneath. Var. erythrocarpum, Carr. Fr. right red: lvs. smaller and more lustrous. Var. purpurascens, Pax (vars. purpureum and atropurpureum, Hort.). Lvs. purplish red beneath; of robust growth. Var. Handjeryi, Spaeth (var. Prinz, Handjery, Hort.). Lvs. purplish beneath, bright red when unfolding. Var. Worleei, Schwerin (var. lutescens, Hort.). Lvs. yellow. Var. albo-variegatum, Kirchn. Lvs. with white blotches and spots, reddish while young. Var. Leopoldii, Lem. Similar to the preceding variety; bright rosy pink while young. Var. bicolor, Spaeth. Lvs. light green while young, with yellow, finally whitish, spots. Var. tricolor, Kirchn. Lvs. purplish while young, spotted with yellow. Var. quadricolor, Schwerin (var. Simonii Pax. var. Simon-Louis freres, Deegen). Lvs. with large, white spots and also sprinkled with small dots; pink while young. Var. nervosum, Schwerin. Habit pyramidal, of slow growth: lvs. marked with yellow between the veins above, purplish beneath.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


More information about this species can be found on the genus page.

Cultivation

It is noted for its tolerance of wind, urban pollution and salt spray, which makes it a popular tree for planting in cities, along roads treated with salt in winter, and in coastal localities. It is cultivated and widely naturalised north of its native range in northern Europe, notably in the British Isles and Scandinavia north to Tromsø, Norway (can ripen seeds north to Vesterålen); Reykjavík, Iceland; and Torshavn on the Faroe Islands. It now occurs throughout the British Isles, having been introduced in the 17th century.[5]

In North America, escapes from cultivation are most common in New England, New York City and the Pacific Northwest. It is planted in many temperate parts of the Southern Hemisphere, most commonly in New Zealand and on the Falkland Islands.

The popular cultivar 'Brilliantissimum' is notable for the bright salmon-pink colour of the young foliage.

Propagation

The sycamore is able to produce suckers from roots when they are exposed to sunlight after the mature tree has fallen.

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Cultivars

  • 'Atropurpeum' ('Spaethii')

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

References

External links


  1. Flora Europaea: Acer pseudoplatanus
  2. 2.0 2.1 Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
  3. http://www.garden-centre.org/Sycamore.htm Sycamore profile
  4. Humphries, C. J., Press, J. R., & Sutton, D. A. (1992). Trees of Britain and Europe. Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. ISBN 0-600-57511-X.
  5. Preston, Pearman & Dines. (2002). New Atlas of the British Flora. Oxford University Press.