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Sycamore maple leaves have 5 lobes, and the outer 2 lobes are smaller than the rest. Photo Credit: WNY PRISM.

Sycamore Maple

COMMON NAME:

Sycamore maple

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Acer pseudoplatanus

ORIGIN:

Europe and Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Sycamore maple is a deciduous tree that typically reaches 40–60 feet tall at maturity. Its leaves are opposite and simple, with five lobes per leaf, and the outer two lobes are smaller than the rest. Leaves are broad, leathery, dark green above, light green below with serrated leaf margins and prominent veins. Bark is scaly on the outside and flakes off to reveal a slightly orange color underneath. Flowers are small, yellow-green and are found in 2–6 inch long drooping clusters that bloom in spring. Seeds are winged samaras that are reddish pink and found in dangling clusters.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Sycamore maple invades forest edges, woodlands, forests and riparian zones. It also grows well in disturbed sites such as fields, roadsides and vacant lots. Sycamore maple is used in urban areas for streets and landscaping.

THREAT:

Sycamore maple is a fast-growing shade tree. Mature trees produce 10,000 to 170,000 seeds that can disperse by wind up to 50 meters away. Sycamore maple forms dense stands of seedlings that outcompete native trees. This species can grow in a wide range of soil conditions.

MANAGEMENT:

Smaller seedlings and saplings can be hand-pulled including the roots or foliar treated with herbicide. Larger trees can be cut and treated with herbicides, basal bark treated or girdled. Trees will re-sprout if cutting is not followed up with herbicide treatment. Any successful management strategy will require a multi-year effort.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Data Gap Priority Species
Tier 5a – Survey
NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Native Alternatives -
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
Red oak (Quercus rubra)
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

Sycamore maple is a prohibited species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

Sycamore maple was introduced to North America in the 1870s as part of the horticultural trade and is used as a street tree in urban areas. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Known locations in Erie and Niagara Counties.

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.