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Acer pseudoplatanus
  • Sycamore

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Acer genus in the family Aceraceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Pioneer
    Pioneer
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Acer pseudoplatanus has 0 edible uses listed
Acer pseudoplatanus has 0 material uses listed
Acer pseudoplatanus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The sap contains sugar and can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water[1]. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. It can be harvested in late winter but is not produced in economic quantities[2][3][4][5]. About 25 grams of sugar is obtained from a litre of the sap[3]. The sap can also be used to make a wine[1]. The flow is best on warm sunny days following a frost. The best sap production comes from cold-winter areas with continental climates.

The keys of the developing seeds have a sweet exudation on them and this is often sucked by children[1].

The leaves can be wrapped round food such as buns when baking them and they impart a sweet flavour[6].

Leaves

Unknown use

Sap

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Unknown part

Sweetener

Material uses

The trees are fast-growing and make a good windbreak for exposed and maritime areas[7][8]. They are often used in shelterbelt plantings[8]. This species usually self-sows freely and is often the first tree to invade disused farmland, cleared woodland etc. Its ability to tolerate difficult environments make it a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. When grown in Britain it is usually gradually displaced over a period of 200 years or more by native species until it becomes just a minor component of the woodland[K].

The leaves are packed around apples, rootcrops etc to help preserve them[9][10].

Wood - very hard, heavy, elastic, easy to work, fairly resistant to insects. Used for carving, small domestic items, veneer etc[3][4][11][12]. It is a good fuel and also makes a good charcoal that can be used as a fuel[13].

Unknown part

Charcoal
Fuel
Preservative
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark has mild astringent properties and has been used to make a wash for skin problems and an eyewash for sore eyes[14]. The inner bark of the tree, containing the sweet sap, can be used as a dressing for wounds[14].

Unknown part

Astringent
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Pioneer


Windbreak

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the following spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours and then stratify for 2 - 4 months at 1 - 8°c. It can be slow to germinate. Seed should not be dried below 35% moisture[15]. The seed can be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has dried and produced any germination inhibitors) and sown immediately. It should germinate in late winter. If the seed is harvested too soon it will produce very weak plants or no plants at all[16][17]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 20cm or more tall before planting them out in their permanent positions.

Layering, which takes about 12 months, is successful with most species in this genus. Cuttings of young shoots in June or July. The cuttings should have 2 - 3 pairs of leaves, plus one pair of buds at the base. Remove a very thin slice of bark at the base of the cutting, rooting is improved if a rooting hormone is used. The rooted cuttings must show new growth during the summer before being potted up otherwise they are unlikely to survive the winter.

Cultivars can be budded onto rootstocks of the species. Any grafting is best carried out in September rather than February.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acer pseudoplatanus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Of easy cultivation, it prefers a good moist well-drained soil and a sunny position[7][18], but tolerates most conditions including poor soils and some shade[4][18][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Chlorosis can sometimes develop as a result of iron deficiency when the plants are grown in alkaline soils, but in general maples are not fussy as to soil pH. Dislikes wet soils[13]. Grows better in the cooler areas of the country[7]. Very wind-resistant, tolerating maritime exposure though it is often wind and salt pruned in very exposed areas[3][7][18].

A fairly aggressive tree, it self-sows freely and inhibits the growth of nearby plants[9][10]. It is often one of the first trees to colonize open land. It is fast growing and establishes rapidly. It can supplant native trees, at least in the short-term, though recent evidence suggests that in the long term it does not usually become the dominant tree in British woodlands and it is often recommended for planting in broad-leaved woods by the Forestry Commission, especially in windy areas[K]. Plants are subject to sooty bark disease - this is not fatal and occurs most often in years that follow hot summers[7]. There are many named forms that have been selected for their ornamental value[8].

Trees take 25 years to come into bearing from seed[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Acer pseudoplatanus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Acer pseudoplatanus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acer pseudoplatanus
Genus
Acer
Family
Aceraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[14]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9][10][3][4][11][12][13]
Botanic
[7][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Pioneer, Windbreak
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
30 x 15 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Acer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Acer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Acer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Acer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (1985-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
  16. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
  17. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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Facts about "Acer pseudoplatanus"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyAceraceae +
Belongs to genusAcer +
Functions asPioneer + and Windbreak +
Has common nameSycamore +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +, Sap +, Seedpod + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Sweetener +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageAcer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCharcoal +, Fuel +, Preservative + and Wood +
Has mature height30 +
Has mature width15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAstringent + and Vulnerary +
Has primary imageAcer pseudoplatanus RJB.jpg +
Has search nameacer pseudoplatanus + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameAcer pseudoplatanus +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +