Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)

How much light does a Sycamore Maple need?

Sycamore maple does best in full sun. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The tree is also listed for part shade. The records give full sun and part shade as its outdoor light values, with full sun preferred.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Sycamore Maple

Sycamore maple tolerates soil moisture that runs from dry to medium. Its soil is described as consistently moist and well drained, with occasional periods of dry soil. Dry to medium is the moisture range recorded for this tree. Look at the soil itself, because the records point to moist, well-drained ground with occasional dry spells.

• Water: Dry to medium²

Best soil for a Sycamore Maple

Sycamore maple grows in soil that is well drained, moist, or occasionally dry. The conditions on record are consistently moist, well-drained soil with occasional periods of dry soil. The tree can tolerate acid to alkaline soil, from pH 5.0 to 8.0. A pH between 5 and 8 falls inside the range listed for it. Its moisture value runs from dry to medium.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally dry²
• Soil pH: pH 5–8²

Hardiness and temperature

Sycamore maple is rated for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4a through 7b. The listed zones are 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b. The lowest zone on that list is 4a. The highest zone on that list is 7b. Compare your own zone against that list before you choose a site. No cited source records a minimum temperature for this tree. A zone inside the listed range matches the conditions on record for the tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–7b^1,1

How to plant a Sycamore Maple

Sycamore maple is a tree, and its listed hardiness zones are 4a–7b. Allow room for a mature height of 40–60 ft (12.19–18.29 m). The mature spread is 25–40 ft (7.62–12.19 m). Its growth rate is rapid. The flowers are yellow and green. In the lower 48 US states, its native status is introduced. Its native range is recorded under 21 region codes, including ALB, AUT, FRA, and UKR.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–7b^1,1

Winter care

Sycamore maple is listed for hardiness zones 4a to 7b. Those zones are the range where the tree is recorded as hardy. The coldest zone on its list is 4a. The warmest zone on its list is 7b. No cited source records a minimum temperature or winter protection steps for this tree. Check that your local zone sits between 4a and 7b. Zones inside that band match the conditions on file for the tree.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–7b^1,1

How to propagate a Sycamore Maple

The propagation method on record for sycamore maple is seed. The tree produces two-winged samaras that are about 2 in (5 cm) wide. These samaras are produced in fall. Wind disperses them, and they germinate easily. Seed is the only method listed for this tree.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

Two diseases are recorded as common for sycamore maple. One is sooty bark disease. The other is eutypella canker. Canker is described as an issue for this tree.

• Common diseases: sooty bark disease and eutypella canker¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does sycamore maple need?

Sycamore maple prefers full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It is also listed for part shade. Full sun and part shade are its two recorded outdoor light values.

What soil does sycamore maple grow in?

Sycamore maple grows in well-drained, moist soil with occasional periods of dry soil. It can tolerate acid to alkaline soil, from pH 5.0 to 8.0. Its moisture value runs from dry to medium.

How big does sycamore maple get?

A mature sycamore maple stands 40–60 ft (12.19–18.29 m) tall. Its spread is 25–40 ft (7.62–12.19 m). The growth rate is rapid, so plan for a large tree.