sycamore

acer pseudoplatanus

• Magnificent domed canopy
   
• Up to 35m high
   
• Smooth grey-brown bark when young becoming scaly and flaky with maturity
   
• Stout twigs with fat, green buds
   
• Leaves are large, maple-leaf shape, with five pointed lobes
   
• Flowers hang in long, spiky clusters

Autumn colours not as spectacular as field maple
 
The paired, winged fruit (keys) are green tinged with red and ripen to brown
 

Where found

One of our commonest and most widespread trees, found almost everywhere
 

Record seasonal events

You can help scientists monitor the effect of climate change on this species by telling us the dates when its buds burst, fruits ripen and leaves appear, tint and fall off where you live.

• Flowers and leaves appear from April-May
    
• Leaves drop in November
   

Did you know?

The sycamore tree is not native to the British Isles - it came from central and south-east Europe