Seicmar
Latin name: Acer pseudoplatanus
The sycamore tree grows very fast. Its branches spread out wide. This gives it a round shape.
It is a native tree to central and southern Europe. Nobody is sure when it was brought to Ireland. It is the second most common hedgerow tree. The ash is the most common hedgerow tree.
'Helicopter' seeds hidden behind the broad Sycamore leaves
The sycamore only lives for about 150 years. The oak can live for up to 300 years!
The leaves of a sycamore are very wide. They are dark green in colour. In the autumn, dark spots begin to appear. These are called 'tar spots'.
Small bunch of fallen Sycamore seeds, or 'helicopters'
Small bunch of fallen Sycamore seeds, or 'helicopters'
Small bunch of fallen Sycamore seeds, or 'helicopters'
The flowers of a sycamore tree are yellow-green. They hang down from the branches.
Have you ever seen sycamore seedlings?
They are long and flat. They grow in pairs and look like the letter ‘v’. They spin through the air when they fall from the tree. Sometimes they are called ‘helicopters’!
The flowers of the sycamore are important for bees. They have a lot of nectar. Bees need this to make honey.