Tree · Sapindaceae family
sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
In short a 10-second read
Sycamore (tree) grows to 20–30 m tall and 12–20 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −34 °C.
× spread 12–20 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −34 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, clay, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 50–100 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, crossing branches and shoots growing in the wrong direction (December–January).
Planting
container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −34 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does sycamore tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does sycamore need?
At maturity 12–20 m wide and 20–30 m tall; recommended spacing 1200 cm.
Does sycamore survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (19)
- GBIF — Acer pseudoplatanus
- Okrasné škôlky (SK) — Listnaté stromy
- NC State Extension
- Van den Berk
- PMC - Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species (Netherlands)
- PubMed - Samaras and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus potential source hypoglycin A
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Acer pseudoplatanus
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Acer pseudoplatanus
- RHS - Bleeding from pruning cuts
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Bleeding from pruning cuts
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
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