Sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanusMany cultivars are available, including leaf colour variants. See also A.campestre and A.platanoides. Sources of seed and plants Introduced to Britain in 13th century, sycamore has been widely planted and reaches its best development in northern England and Scotland. It has been planted on upland sites up to 480 metres. Seed must be collected from well-tended plantations where care has been taken to select and favour trees with straight, persistent stems and small branches. Silviculture A moderate shade bearer often associated with beech, ash and gean. Sometimes planted pure but grows best in mixture with larches and broadleaves. Soil types Prefers well drained soils over chalk and limestone but grows well on acid brown earths of moderate depth. Will tolerate dry soils but not wet clays. Rate of growth and yield Young trees grow quickly with short pairs of upward-slanting branches to give a rounded crown. In woodlands early thinning is essential to favour straight-stemmed trees and pruning to 6 metres is desirable. Sycamore grows rapidly up to 50 years and commonly attains heights of 18 to 20 metres and stem diameters of 35 to 40 cms bh. Maximum height in Britain is 40 metres. Protection and resistance Rhytisma acerinum, the tar spot fungus, occurs in the nursery and although unsightly is not serious. Cryptostroma corticale, sooty bark disease, can cause serious damage. Sycamore is moderately hardy to late spring frosts. It is severely damaged by grey squirrels. Provided the soil is fertile it withstands exposure to salt-laden winds and has been planted for shelter as far north as Caithness, Orkney and Shetland. It is resistant to atmospheric pollution, moderately tolerant to pulverised fuel ash and often colonises old coalmine waste heaps. Establishing and tending Establishes readily, but young trees cannot withstand competition from strong grass growth, which must be killed. Sycamore fruits and coppices freely. Timber properties A diffuse porous wood, white or yellow-white in colour, with natural lustre and fine, even texture. The sapwood is not distinguishable from the heartwood. Usually straight-grained, but sometimes curly or wavy-grained, producing an attractive figure. Of medium density (610 kg/m3 seasoned), sycamore kiln-dries well and fairly rapidly, but when airdried is inclined to stain. Clear timber is very good for bending, turning, staining and polishing. The heartwood is perishable but permeable to preservatives. Amenity value Much planted for amenity in urban and rural areas. Conservation The flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, which produce a good, light honey. Timber value Sycamore is in demand for flooring, furniture, turnery and veneers. It also sells well as firewood. Economic appraisal A productive species for northern Britain on sites up to 480 metres, with calcareous soils or on well drained acid brown earths. It should be grown in mixture with larches, ash and gean on rotations of 45 to 60 years to produce straight, cylindrical sawlogs and veneer logs. Control of grey squirrels is essential. |
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