Sycamore Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus · Deciduous, broadleaf, hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species type with characteristic deeply lobed green leaves
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8
About This Tree
A large, vigorous deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown, dense foliage, and smooth bark that develops scaly flakes with age
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, palmately lobed with 5 distinct lobes, coarsely toothed margins, opposite arrangement, dark green above and paler underneath
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and grey when young, becoming dark greyish-brown and exfoliating in small square or rectangular scales with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and Southern Europe and Western Asia
Growing Season
Leafs out in spring, produces winged samaras in late summer, drops leaves in autumn, and enters winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; moderate water needs once established, prefers well-drained soil but tolerates clay and urban pollution
Mature Size
Mature height of 60 to 100 feet, spread of 40 to 60 feet, moderate to fast growth rate, and a long lifespan of over a century
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban pollution, wind, and coastal exposure, making it an excellent street tree
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for birds; flowers attract pollinators such as bees for nectar