Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Native status
Non-native
First reported in the wild
1610
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Release in Nature
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Landscape/flora/fauna improvement
Introduction pathways - 2
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 2
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
15
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Tree, up to 35m tall, simple leaves with 5 acute coarsely serrate lobes wider at the base, distinctive fruit with wings diverging at 90° (Stace, 1997).
Flowers: May; catkins and flowers
Fruits: Acorns borne on stalks <2cm
long
Twigs & bark: Twigs grey; bark grey and fissured when mature
Ecology
Originally thought to be damaging to native woodlands and to support a much narrower range of diversity than native species it has been shown to support a wide range of lichens and other species (Leslie, 2005). The principal concern would be sycamore dominated woodlands, though sycamore seedlings are out competed by ash under sycamore canopy and vice versa (Walters & Savill, 1991), would suggest that there is a pattern of succession in mixed woodlands. Undisturbed woodlands have relatively few sycamore compared to disturbed sites, even when sycamore are present at nearby sites (Morecroft et al., 2008) and sycamores poor growth in dry conditions (Morecroft et al., 2008), would suggest careful management of forests can mitigate any effects of sycamore invasion.
Habitat
Woodland, forest and other wooded land, Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats
Pathway and vector description
Thought to have been planted in Derry around 1610 (Reynolds, 2002), widely planted in parks and gardens by the end of the 19th century it was only found once in the wild despite seeding freely (Reynolds, 2002). Has since expanded widely throughout Ireland.
Mechanism of impact
Competition
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Found in woodlands, planted for forestry and widely planted as an ornamental in parks and roadsides (Reynolds, 2002), prefers acidic soils.
Species group
Plant
Native region
Europe
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread & Common. One of the most common tree species in Ireland, naturalised in the wild and widely planted in semi-natural and urban habitats (Reynolds, 2002).
Native distribution
Native to central and southern Europe.
Temporal change
Date of first record category
Pre-1900
Fifty year date category
1601-1650
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Cronk Q.C.B. & Fuller, J.L. (1995). Plant invaders: the threat to natural ecosystems. London, UK; Chapman & Hall Ltd.
Leslie, A.D. (2005) The ecology and biodiversity value of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) with particular reference to Great Britain. Scottish Forestry. Vol 59 No 3. p19 -26.
Morecroft, M. D., Stokes, V. J., Taylor, M. E., & Morison, J. I. (2008). Effects of climate and management history on the distribution and growth of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in a southern British woodland in comparison to native competitors. Forestry, 81(1), 59-74.
Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin.
Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Waters, T. L., & Savill, P. S. (1992). Ash and sycamore regeneration and the phenomenon of their alternation. Forestry, 65(4), 417-433.