What hardiness zones is Acer pseudoplatanus suitable for?

Acer pseudoplatanus is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Acer pseudoplatanus?

Acer pseudoplatanus requires Full Sun.

How much water does Acer pseudoplatanus need?

Acer pseudoplatanus has Low water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer pseudoplatanus

sycamore maple

Sapindaceae

Central and southern Europe, Pyrenees to the Caucasus

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height50-80 feet (15-24 m)

Width40-60 feet (12-18 m)

Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer pseudoplatanus is a large deciduous tree reaching 50–80 feet (15–24 m) tall and 40–60 feet (12–18 m) wide, with a broad, rounded crown. Leaves are palmate with 5 broad, coarsely toothed lobes, 4–7 inches (10–18 cm) across, dark green above and distinctly pale gray-green to whitish beneath. In fall, foliage turns yellow before dropping. Bark on young trees is smooth and gray; on mature trees it develops irregular flaking plates that reveal orange-brown inner bark, producing a mottled appearance. In May, pendulous clusters of yellow-green flowers 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long appear with the leaves. Paired samaras with wings set at 60–90 degrees ripen in September and October. Growth rate is fast in youth, 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) per year, slowing at maturity. The tree is wind-firm and tolerates salt spray, exposed coastal conditions, and air pollution. Seeds from a single tree can number in the thousands annually; seedling germination is prolific and the species establishes readily in disturbed ground, forest margins, and natural areas. In parts of New Zealand, the UK, and some US Pacific coastal regions, it is considered a naturalized or invasive species; its planting near natural areas is discouraged in those contexts. Seeds and seedlings contain hypoglycin A, which causes atypical myopathy in horses; horse owners should prevent access to fallen seeds.

Native Range

Native to central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees and Alps east to the Caucasus, and from southern Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean mountains. Found in mixed deciduous mountain forests at elevations from approximately 1,600 to 5,900 feet (500–1,800 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large shade tree in parks, coastal landscapes, and sites exposed to wind where few other large trees establish reliably. Tolerates road salt and urban pollution better than many large maples. Avoid planting near natural areas, forest margins, and horse pastures. In regions where the species is considered invasive or naturalized, consult local guidelines before planting.

How to Identify

Identified by palmate leaves with 5 broad, coarsely toothed lobes — distinctly pale whitish to gray-green on the underside — and pendulous yellow-green flower clusters in May. The bark develops irregular flaking plates on mature trees, revealing orange-brown inner bark. Unlike Acer platanoides, the petioles do not exude milky sap when broken. Paired samaras have wings set at 60–90 degrees, forming a less-open angle than A. platanoides samaras.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 80'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms in May in zones 4–7, with pendulous yellow-green flower clusters 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long appearing as leaves expand. Individual clusters last 2–3 weeks. Samaras ripen September through October and disperse by wind; seedling germination in spring is abundant, often thousands per tree.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow-green

Foliage Description

dark green above, pale gray-green to whitish beneath; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandchalk

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-25 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly for the first 1–2 growing seasons; established trees are drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient in regions with 25 or more inches (635 mm) of annual precipitation. The tree tolerates exposed windy sites, coastal salt spray, compacted urban soils, and air pollution. It performs in part shade but develops a denser crown in full sun. Seedling management is the primary maintenance task: seedlings germinate in large numbers under and around the parent tree and require regular removal to prevent unwanted spread into adjacent plantings or natural areas. Monitor for horse access to areas with fallen seeds, which contain hypoglycin A and can cause atypical myopathy.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through January) or in summer (July–August). The species heals large wounds reliably; remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches at the branch collar. Young trees benefit from structural pruning in years 3–10 to establish a clear leader and balanced crown. Mature trees require minimal pruning beyond deadwood removal. Avoid pruning in spring to reduce sap loss.

Pruning Schedule

wintersummer

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets