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Tree · Sapindaceae family

Sycamore

Acer pseudoplatanus

Full sun to part shade in a garden 4–7 m × 2.5–5 m to −34 °C

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years4–7 m
in the wild up to 30 m
spacing 12 m
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moistloamyclayhumus-rich

Watering

only in dry spellsless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m16 m17 m18 m19 m20 m21 m22 m23 m24 m25 m26 m27 m28 m29 m30 m20–30 mspread 12–20 m
20–30 m× spread 12–20 m

Plant 12 m apart.

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

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Tar spot of maple

Rhytisma acerinum
Medium riskdisease
More about this problem

What you will see

Large black tar-like spots on leaves. It is only cosmetic and may cause slightly early leaf drop.

The source says: it is seen most commonly on sycamore maple.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves.
  2. By hand October to NovemberRake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.
Tar spot of mapledisease · summerMedium risk

What you will see

Large black tar-like spots on leaves. It is only cosmetic and may cause slightly early leaf drop.

The source says: it is seen most commonly on sycamore maple.

When to look

Summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves.
  2. By hand October to NovemberRake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.
More about this problem

Verticillium wilt

Verticillium
Medium riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

The source says: it is among the plants affected most commonly.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
Verticillium wiltdisease · throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weatherMedium risk

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

The source says: it is among the plants affected most commonly.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
More about this problem
Sources (5)

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 12 m.

Tar spot of maple — what can you do?

In autumn, rake up and remove fallen leaves. Rake up fallen leaves to reduce the source of spores.

Verticillium wilt — what can you do?

Do not plant susceptible species (maple, catalpa, redbud) where a tree has been killed by this disease. With mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.

Sources (21) Checked 24 October 2026

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