Sycamore Tree
The Sycamore Tree, is a large broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 35m, and may live for 400 years.
The bark is dark pink-grey, and smooth when young, but becomes cracked and develops small plates with age. Twigs are pink-brown and hairless.
This tree was planted in the 1920’s.
Photo supplied by: Alan Payne
Common Name:
Sycamore
Scentific Name:
Acer pseudoplatanus
Tree No:
160
Location:
G3
Leaves measure 7–16cm and have five lobes. Leaf stalks of younger trees are characteristically red.
Credit: Alan Payne
Small, green-yellow and hang in spikes, or ‘racemes’.
Credit: This could be your image
After pollination by wind and insects, female flowers develop into distinctive winged fruits known as samaras.
Credit: This could be your image
Sycamore is native to central, eastern and southern Europe. It is thought to have been introduced to the UK by the Romans. However, other reports suggest it was introduced to the UK in the Tudor era around the 1500s. More widespread planting occurred in the 1700s and the earliest reports of the species naturalising in the UK date from the mid-1800s.
The seed is extremely fertile, so sycamore has spread quickly across the UK and colonised many woodlands to the detriment of native species.
Sycamore trees provide food for a variety of animals, including bees, pollinators, caterpillars, birds, and insects. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of a number of moths. The flowers provide a good source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Sycamore seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Sycamore bark is eaten by insects, including sycamore lacewing and sycamore aphid.
Sycamore trees also provide habitat for a variety of animals, including birds, mammals, insects, and fungi. Sycamore trees are popular nesting sites for blackbird, robin and blue tit. They also provide shelter for small mammals and bats. Sycamore trees are home to a wide variety of insects, such as species of ladybird, butterflies and beetles. They host a variety of fungi, such as the sycamore bracket fungus and sycamore toadstool.
The timber is prized for its quality particularly for musical instrument making.
Sycamore timber is hard and strong, pale cream and with a fine grain, and is excellent for carving. It is used to make furniture and kitchenware, such as ladles and wooden spoons as the wood does not taint or stain the food.
They are planted in parks and large gardens. Mature trees are extremely tolerant of wind, so are often planted in coastal and exposed areas as a wind break. They are also tolerant of pollution and are therefore ideal street trees.
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