Acer Pseudoplatanus Sycamore Tree
A fast growing tree that can reach 40m tall, over 8m wide and reach ages of 500 years or more. It has yellow to green catkin like Spring flowers that mature into winged fruit. If you imagine an Orange with Spitfire wings then you are seeing nothing like a mature Sycamore tree fruit. Expect many insects and wildlife as the flowers produce a lot of pollen and nectar.
The foliage colour is fairly consistent throughout the year being a dark green on top with a grey-ish underside and then the usual Autumnal colours.
Being a resilient and deep rooted tree, it is suitable for coastal, exposed locations, ornamental parks and gardens but will not stand prolonged wet sites. Often used as a barrier to protect other trees and plants.
The amount of seeds it produces and the success rate of them rooting ensure the species endures. So in effect, buy one, get a few thousand free.
The bark starts off smooth and grey and then becomes rougher with age and breaks into scales. You may think some expensive anti-aging cream nicked from your grandmother will keep it smooth, we can assure you the only effect you will notice is strained family relationships and judgemental looks at get reunions.
Acer pseudoplatanus is supplied at a height of 150cm -250cm in a 5 -20L container, which means that the tree has an already established root system and therefore this tree can be planted any time of the year. Expect a growth rate of around 30-45cm per year.
The options usually available are:
150-200cm : These are usually 2-3 years old and will be 150-200cm tall depending on weather and time of year purchased. Pruned to be Half Standard.
200-250cm : These are usually 2-3 years old and will be 200-250cm tall depending on weather and time of year purchased. Pruned to be Half Standard.
If the options available are less than those explained above then we are out of stock of that item.
If you require many maple trees then click WHOLESALE MAPLE TREES. These are 40cm to 60cm tall.
Planting Acer Pseudoplatanus
Plant in a full sun or partial shade position in fertile and well draining soil in a location that doesn't get below minus 20 degrees centigrade. Acer Pseudoplatanus will tolerate most soil conditions to include sand, clay, loam and chalk but best results are had in chalk. If you have a particularly heavy clay soil then consider mixing well rotted manure or compost into the excavated soil. A ratio of 50:50 will be ideal.
Remove any competing weeds and other plants within 100cm of your Acer Pseudoplatanus planting spot. Dig a hole as deep as your pot but break up the bottom 5-10 cm to allow the roots to spread a little easier. The purists will tell you to make the hole square to reduce the chances of the roots spiralling round, this is your choice. Make the hole wider than the pot, this is to follow the same principle as breaking up the bottom. Try and plant so the top of the rootball soil is level with the garden soil as you need to avoid bark that was previously exposed to air being buried. If you go too deep, you can always make the top slightly "dished" by having the outer edges higher than the middle.
Water well after planting, at least 20 litres spread around the whole root system. If planting in Summer, especially long hot ones, regular watering will be important. If the soil is dry for the top 10cm or so, it will be time to water.
Keeping nearby weeds down for the first few seasons will help the young Acer Pseudoplatanus and this can be achieved with manual removal, mulching, decorative stones, agricultural matting or glyphosate (weed killer).
Pruning Acer Pseudoplatanus
Major pruning for this tree should be done between October and December and very light pruning in June. The seasoned gardener may think the dormant period is November to March and start hacking away but the sap starts to rise early Winter hence the specific pruning time frame.
The issue from pruning outside these times is that sap levels are high and bleeding can be an issue. It is always best to prune when you are expecting a few days of dry weather as this aids in the pruning cut healing and reducing the ingress of infection. You should always cut out dead, diseased or crossed over branches in either of the time frames listed.
If you are going to remove a large branch, it is best to do this in stages. This is because you do not want the branch to be cut almost all the way through and for it to then fall and tear bark off the tree. Removing smaller chunks will reduce the risk of this happening. On the final stage, make your first cut from underneath, this also reduces the risk of bark tearing away.
Somewhere Between Dull And Useful Information About Acer Pseudoplatanus
The timber is hard wearing and good for musical instruments (not Trombones or Triangles), flooring, furniture and kitchen tools (doesn't stain easily). If you attempt to make any of these and find out you are a bit naff at DIY, Acer Pseudoplatanus makes excellent firewood.
Historically the sap has been used to extract sugar but we imagine it is a bit more complicated a process than slicing a bit of bark off and putting it in your cake batter.
The seeds are a food source for small mammals such as birds and voles but can be toxic to horses.
Can be considered invasive due to the success of the seeds spreading far and establishing well.
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
