Is it a good street tree?

It is very hardy but can grow quite large, so it needs plenty of space.

Does it drop a lot of debris?

Yes, it sheds many winged seeds and leaves in the autumn.

Plant guide

Sycamore Maple.

Acer pseudoplatanus

Pronounced AY-ser soo-doh-plah-TAY-nus

Also known as False Planetree, Great Maple

Acer pseudoplatanus — Photo by 謝麗霦 (CC BY) via gbif

The sycamore maple is a sturdy, deciduous tree that brings a classic look to large landscapes. It is known for its impressive size and ability to tolerate harsh conditions. You will love how its broad canopy provides excellent shade during the summer.

Another photo of Sycamore Maple — Photo by Dan Scali (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 35 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 7
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room to accommodate its large root system. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or aphids during humid weather. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged as it settles in.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years until the tree is well established.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: Repotting is only relevant for young container specimens before they are moved to the ground.
Soil: Well drained, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 100 to 400 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans, though the sap can be sticky.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The winged seeds, or samaras, are a potential choking hazard for small children if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The windborne pollen can trigger seasonal allergies for some people.
Edibility: The seeds are not typically consumed by humans and may cause digestive upset if ingested in quantity.

How to identify it

Five lobed dark green leaves
Rough, flaking grey bark
Distinctive winged samara seeds
Yellowish green hanging flower clusters

Height: 20 to 35m
Spread: 15 to 25m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: yellowish green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Tar SpotCommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Verticillium WiltUncommon
CankerRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed as it is fully hardy. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent root issues during wet winters.
In containers: It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Seed

Collect mature winged seeds in autumn.
Sow seeds in pots of moist soil.
Place in a cold frame for winter stratification.
Transplant seedlings in spring.

Plant shade tolerant groundcovers beneath the tree to manage the soil moisture.

Grows well with

English Ivy · It handles the deep shade beneath the canopy well.
Common Foxglove · It thrives in the woodland conditions provided by the tree.

Similar species

Norway Maple · It has a similar growth habit but different leaf shape.
Sycamore Maple · This is the same species, often confused with other maples.

Science

Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and Southern Europe and Western Asia.
Conservation: This species is widely naturalized and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist climates and often colonizes disturbed woodland areas.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting site
Pollinators: bees
Uses: shade tree, timber, windbreak

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a good street tree?: It is very hardy but can grow quite large, so it needs plenty of space.
Does it drop a lot of debris?: Yes, it sheds many winged seeds and leaves in the autumn.

Where the name comes from

The name pseudoplatanus means false plane tree, referring to its resemblance to the true plane tree, Platanus.

Good to know

It is often called the sycamore in the UK.
The wood is prized for making musical instruments.
It can live for over 400 years in ideal conditions.

Keep your sycamore maple growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.