Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Sycamore is one of the most widespread and familiar trees in Britain. It is usually regarded as a neophyte in the British flora, probably introduced sometime in the 16th century and first recorded wild in 1632. It is native to the forests of central Europe but it has become thoroughly embedded into our wild flora in the last 400 years, occuring in lots of different wooded habitats, particularly on basic soils. It produces pendant yellow-green inflorescences which are insect pollinated and give rise to the familar winged fruits that spiral down and disperse the seeds in autumn. Seeds germinate to produce large numbers of seedlings in the vicinity of the mother tree and like Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) it is an opportunistic coloniser of open areas. Although often been regarded as an invasive pest by some conservationists, it rarely dominates wooded habitats and established trees often grow to become valuable components of the woodland flora. Although similar to Ash in its ecological strategy it is much more shade tolerant and it casts a deeper shade. It occurs throughout West Galmorgan in woodland, scrub and hedgerows but it is less common in upland areas dominated by conifers. Like Ash, Sycamore supports a diverse epiphyte flora and trees are often rich in aphids and other invertebrates that provide food for birds. In late Summer and Autumn, the leaves often become blotched with black spots as a result of colonisation by the Ascomycte fungus Rhytisma acerinum (Tar spot). Cristulariella depraedens is another Ascomycete that parasitises Sycamare leaves causing conspicuous pearly grey lesions. Neither of these fungal infections appear to cause significant damage the their host.  

Neophyte