# Sycamore Maple (*Acer pseudoplatanus*) The Sycamore Maple is a big tree with wide leaves. Its bark is unique and looks like it’s peeling off! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and urban areas - **Also known as:** European Sycamore, Sycamore Plane ![Sycamore Maple](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424617/objects/4795.jpg) ## Appearance The Sycamore Maple is a large deciduous tree with broad, five-lobed leaves. Its smooth grey bark flakes off to reveal orange-brown patches, especially on older trees. It produces distinctive paired, winged seeds that spin like helicopters. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Genus:** Acer ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, 'pseudoplatanus,' means 'false plane tree' because its leaves look similar! - The wood is highly valued for making musical instruments, like violins and guitars! - This tree can live for hundreds of years, becoming a grand forest giant! - Tiny aphids often make sweet 'honeydew' on its leaves, attracting bees and ants! ## Special abilities - **Samara Spinner:** Sycamore Maple has winged seeds that spin like helicopters, carrying them far to find new places to grow. - **Bark Peeler:** Sycamore Maple's bark peels in plates, helping it shed moss and parasites, keeping its trunk healthy. - **Urban Survivor:** Sycamore Maple can tolerate pollution, winds, and salt, allowing it to thrive in tough city environments. - **Sap Streamer:** Sycamore Maple has sap rich in sugars, providing energy for spring growth and can be tapped for sweet syrup. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-35 m - **Spread:** 15-25 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 100-150 cm - **Lifespan:** 150-300 years - **Fruit Type:** Samara - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Sycamore Aphid (*Drepanosiphum platanoidis*) — feeds on its sap and leaves - **Eats:** Grey Squirrel (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — eats its abundant winged seeds - **Parasitizes:** Tar Spot Fungus (*Rhytisma acerinum*) — causes distinct black spots on leaves - **Depends on:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and honeydew from leaves ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sycamore Maple? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Sycamore Maple? 20-35 m ### How wide does Sycamore Maple spread? 15-25 m ### Is Sycamore Maple edible? Yes ### How big is Sycamore Maple? 100-150 cm ### How long does Sycamore Maple live? 150-300 years ### Where is Sycamore Maple usually found? Woodlands and urban areas ### What kind of fruit does Sycamore Maple produce? Samara ## Where to spot - [Cedarmere-Clayton Estates](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarmere-clayton-estates) — New York, US · Historic District - [Chestnut Street District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chestnut-street-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Compo–Owenoke Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/compo-owenoke-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Zoo de Cerza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-cerza) — Normandy, FR · Zoo - [Roslyn Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roslyn-village-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wales-ape-and-monkey-sanctuary) — Wales, GB · Zoo [View all places to see Sycamore Maple](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sycamore-maple) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Sycamore Maple: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sycamore-maple)