Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Sycamore maple

These “sycamores” are not related

	You are here Acer pseudoplatanus	Platanus occidentalis
Common Name	sycamore maple	American sycamore
Plant	Up to 66–115′ (20–35 m) in height, with a broad crown that is oval or rounded in shape. As the tree ages, smooth gray bark becomes brown, and begins breaking into scales, peeling to reveal pale brown, pinkish, or green inner bark. Don’t confuse the sycamore maple tree with the dissimilar sycamore tree, Ficus sycomorus.	98–131′ (30–40 m) high, up to 6½′ (2 m) in diameter. Bark is mottled, with large irregular chunks like puzzle pieces that flake off, revealing differently colored bark beneath. Bark colors include tan, light gray, white, cream, and olive green.
Leaves	Palmate, five-lobed, similar to those of sugar maples in overall shape, but with more serrations. They are 4–10″ (10–25 cm) in size.	4–9″ (10–22 cm) in size, somewhat resembling maple leaves, with 3-5 lobes.
Flowers	Greenish-yellow and hang in dangling panicles.	Male flowers are dark red, while female flowers are light green tinged with red. Both are ball-shaped.
Fruit	Samaras are in pairs, twirling to the ground like little helicopters when ripe.	Bumpy brown balls about 1″ (2.5 cm) around, on stems up to 3″ (7.6 cm) long. Bumps separate into airborne seeds after drying.
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 4-7	USDA Zones: 4-9
Habitats	Mixed deciduous forests at altitudes between 2297–6562′ (700–2000 m)	Lowland areas, typically reaching its largest size along streams, rivers and flood plains.

Acer pseudoplatanus description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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