[Skip to main content](#main-content) ![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/erable-sycomore1.jpg?d=128x128)Sycamore Maple: meaning, symbolism and use ========================================== A true mountain species, the Sycamore Maple can live for 500 years and produces highly sought-after wood. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Sycamore Maple The Sycamore Maple (*Acer pseudoplatanus*) is a **deciduous** tree in the *Aceraceae* family. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it is widely grown as an ornamental tree in temperate regions around the world, but also for the quality of its wood. It is also known as big maple or mountain maple. [ Become a Tree Owner ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ### Why does EcoTree plant Sycamore Maple? [Our foresters](https://ecotree.green/en/sustainable-forestry-manifesto) plant **Sycamore Maples** because this hardy species adapts well to different soil types and climates. It is a **fast-growing** species in its juvenile stage and behaves as a pioneer, making it interesting for new planting areas. **Sycamore Maple** also provides shelter for many animals and insects, as well as food for certain animal species. It produces good quality, durable wood that is of interest to the timber industry. Finally, it is a tree that is particularly appreciated for its aesthetics favoured by dense foliage, a large ovoid crown and an elegant shape. ### Sycamore Maple - Overview ### Sycamore Maple - Overview The**Sycamore Maple** can reach 35 to 40 metres in height and has a relatively short trunk with a bark that is initially smooth and yellow-grey, later becoming reddish-brown with large flaking scales. The tree's leaves are opposite, decussate with 5 more or less toothed lobes separated by fairly acute sinuses, at the end of a long reddish petiole. They turn yellow in the autumn before falling off. The buds are ovoid with green scales. It does not flower until it is 20 to 25 years old and produces yellow-green flowers in drooping panicles that appear after the leaves. The fruits are disamars with spread wings, much less open-angled than those of the double samaras of the Norway Maple. They are spread by the wind. Read moreRead less ![Sycamore Maple](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/erable-sycomore2.jpg?d=128x128) ### Sycamore Maple - Species requirements The **Sycamore maple** is a hardy**tree** that grows well in temperate climates up to 1800 metres altitude. A semi-shade species in its juvenile stage, it grows very fast when young. It requires deep, slightly acidic to carbonated, well-drained soils rich in nutrients and water. It is susceptible to phototropism and its enemies are armillaria mellea, geometrids, [hornets](https://ecotree.green/blog/le-frelon-asiatique-est-il-une-menace-pour-les-abeilles-et-la-biodiversite), [bark beetles](https://ecotree.green/blog/scolyte-typographe-il-faut-entretenir-et-diversifier-les-forets), xylebore and hoverflies. It is also susceptible to damage by rodents (voles) and game during planting. ### Sycamore Maple's wood **Sycamore Maple** wood is considered to be a noble material and is highly sought after, especially when burned. It is used in cabinet making, joinery, violin making, and turning. In order to avoid the discolouration of its wood, which depreciates it, like that of beech, and because it is often planted in the company of forest species that are cut young, such as fir, it is often cut quite early. ### Symbolism of the Sycamore Maple The**Sycamore Maple** has a rich and varied symbolism in different cultures and traditions. In Chinese culture, the**Sycamore Maple** is associated with stability and strength because of its solid and steady growth. In Japanese culture, it is considered a symbol of longevity, wisdom and prosperity. Maple leaves are thought to be symbols of love and loyalty, while the seeds are symbols of prosperity. In Korean culture, the tree is associated with love and romance, as its heart-shaped leaves symbolise love and affection. In Native American culture, it is considered a tree of protection against negative energies and malevolent spirits. In Celtic culture, the**Sycamore** is considered a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and spiritual guidance. The Maple leaves are believed to represent knowledge and wisdom gained over time. ### Our selection of trees Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change? ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/70c9cff8911e91b92210e085b7fe5a3548ce7731.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Only 1 left! [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7528) [Cilician fir](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7528) €18 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Quantity Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/756e474aa3a5c5c64e8500ea905e102f15c9ed6a.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Our favourite [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7604) [Red Cedar](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7604) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Priziac forest Morbihan, Brittany, France Quantity Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/2f60b76e83da6c102095370a2730d98af49ee6cf.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See details](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7642) [Sitka Spruce](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7642) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Priziac forest Morbihan, Brittany, France Quantity Add to cart Please note that this is promotional communication. See our [notice of information](https://ecotree.green/en/notice-of-information). [ See our trees ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Iain has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Steven has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Nicole has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Cara has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Kirsten True has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/b998f82957f4c4cc5ac71e18ca7f20e04edd967d.jpeg?d=70x70)Johanne purchased [1 Rowan](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8137) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/b998f82957f4c4cc5ac71e18ca7f20e04edd967d.jpeg?d=70x70)Adriana gave away [1 Rowan](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8137) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/04/4d3388d508edc7fe21d4522d29620f8516f1cbd1.jpg?d=70x70)Nihan gave away [1 Welcome to the World bundle](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8244) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/55394d31acd84d6a9cbf48fdb61903e5fcba783b.png?d=70x70)Simon purchased [2 Douglas firs](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/4451) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/55394d31acd84d6a9cbf48fdb61903e5fcba783b.png?d=70x70)Gabor purchased [1 Douglas fir](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/4451) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/05/a1e24ab8f20ac24766e4c73e7cebe50b6a6e9f84.png?d=70x70)Konstantina gave away [1 Mature Forest Bundle bundle](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8239) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/2f60b76e83da6c102095370a2730d98af49ee6cf.jpg?d=70x70)Baron gave away [1 Sitka Spruce](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7642) from Priziac forest (Morbihan, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/54dda35d4d33d4cc8e839376406f33bcc677a367.jpg?d=70x70)Anton gave away [1 Pedunculate Oak](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7959) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/77ce892186a469099f862e2969a72952340b59a2.jpg?d=70x70)Kevin helped preserve 26 m² of the [m2 of ecosystem restoration – Briec Peatland ](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7199) project in Briec Forest (Finistère, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/77bf71ca9c6ce899d41551b1353e2df049fc54c0.jpg?d=70x70)Michel helped preserve 10.01 m² of the [m2 of biodiversity in Thisted forest ](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/3576) project in Thisted Forest (Nordjylland, DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/54dda35d4d33d4cc8e839376406f33bcc677a367.jpg?d=70x70)Danijela gave away [1 Pedunculate Oak](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7959) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/54dda35d4d33d4cc8e839376406f33bcc677a367.jpg?d=70x70)Danijela gave away [1 Pedunculate Oak](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7959) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/06/77ce892186a469099f862e2969a72952340b59a2.jpg?d=70x70)Walter helped preserve 25 m² of the [m2 of ecosystem restoration – Briec Peatland ](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7199) project in Briec Forest (Finistère, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/06/27f41525219097d378ed49cf99c36a3e10903216.jpg?d=70x70)Carolyn gave away [1 Field maple](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/7829) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/dc7bd18164c5e8be1dc69c2aa3f14ca0e5d8cfaf.jpg?d=70x70)English helped preserve 17.29 m² of the [Restoration of burned forests in the Aude department, France ](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8213) project in Aude forest (Aude, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/04/b998f82957f4c4cc5ac71e18ca7f20e04edd967d.jpeg?d=70x70)Femke gave away [1 Rowan](http://172.31.35.4/en/article/8137) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ### Added. 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