Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)

Our range of Sycamore bare root trees (Acer pseudoplatanus)

We have Sycamore bare root tree saplings in several sizes and specifications.  The 1+0 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were sown from seed in spring and are sold during the following November to April months ie they are one year old. We have Sycamore bare root whips in several heights.  These plants are grown by us in Herefordshire.

We also have cell grown Sycamore trees which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these are ideal for forestry, woodland creation and amenity planting schemes.  Cell grown plants are available all year round.

You can read more about the various specifications we offer in each species on the tab just below our pricing table to the right of this product description.

The seed used to grow our Sycamore trees is "orchard seed" which means it's been harvested from trees that are grown specifically to produce the highest possible standard of tree sapling for timber production - see our blog on seed provenance.

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Summary

It is thought that Sycamores were introduced to the UK by the Romans so although non-native, they’re certainly well acclimatised and widely planted in the UK.

The seeds germinate very easily in the wild so Sycamore has spread widely across the UK and is found in most woodlands.  It tends not to be in favour with foresters due to the need to control the seedlings and also it can be a target for grey squirrels (who strip off the bark at the top of the tree to get to the sweet sap wood) but with the combination of climate change and diseases affecting some of our other native broadleaf trees, it is worth reconsidering sycamore in planned productive woodlands.

They’re wind tolerant and sea salt tolerant with deep roots acting as anchors so are very good at the coast and inland exposed areas.  They are also pollution/road salt tolerant hence their use in urban settings but as a large tree with a broad silhouette they need to be planted into parks or large gardens and not more constrained sites. Sycamore is a very useful tree for situations that do not lend themselves to alternative species.   As a hedgerow tree, it has a good upright trunk to keep it well clear of hedges (not inhibiting the growth of the hedging plants), its seedlings tend not to be a problem and it supports a large number of aphids which is of great benefit to birds and other hedgerow inhabitants.

Sycamore makes excellent firewood.  The wood is pale, almost white and works well whilst green and does not taint so can be used for kitchen utensils.  It also produces very fine veneers.

Soil and Situation

Sycamore will grow in almost any soil but prefers rich, deep, fertile, moist but well drained soil.   They have deep roots which anchor the tree and make it a good choice for windy situations.  They are environmentally robust trees, good for urban sites (but not where the roots might lift pavements or paths) as well as woodlands where they appreciate a bit of sunshine rather than full shade.  Their tolerance of wind, salt spray, pollution and road salt make them very useful trees for a range of difficult situations but they also are a host to a wide range of wildlife. With Ash die back beginning to bite, Sycamore can be a useful alternative both as a timber tree and a landscape feature as well as for its wildlife benefit.

Leaves, flowers and fruit

The leaves are large (up to 20cm) green maple shaped (palmate with 5 lobes) turning yellow in autumn. They attract aphids which in turn attract ladybirds, birds and other insects, and the leaves are also eaten by moth caterpillars. 

The flowers which are short yellow dangling racemes are very good for pollinators and an excellent source of pollen.  The fruit are “helicopters” of winged seeds and are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Eventual height and growth rate

Sycamore trees become large trees up to 35m, and are fast growing in the first 20 years, and potentially live for 400 years.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)