Ash
Birch
Cherry
Oak
Sycamore
Sweet chestnut
Walnut

Chairman
Dr Michael Carey
Furze Lodge
Newcastle
Greystones
Co Wicklow
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 2819321

Secretary
Mr Andrew Clark
Forestry Consultant
Tel +44 02825 881722

email the Sycamore group at

Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus

There are approximately 80,000 ha of sycamore in Britain and Ireland. Most of this is in Britain where there are 67,000 ha of woodland in which sycamore is the dominant species. This comprises 49,000 ha in England, 11,000 ha in Scotland and 7,000 ha in Wales. The Irish resource amounts to approximately 12,000 ha.

Sycamore grows on a wide range of sites and has similar ecological requirements to ash, but is more frost hardy and less demanding.

This naturalized exotic species has considerable economic potential, as it is one of the fastest growing broadleaves in the UK and Ireland. It also produces a desirable white-colored timber with little discernible figure or grain. In addition some individual trees exhibit wavy grain timber, which is prized for making musical instruments and for producing veneer. This is highly valued, but whether this characteristic is determined by the tree's genetic composition or by environmental factors or both is not known.

The time of introduction of sycamore to Britain and Ireland is uncertain. It is thought to have been introduced to Britain some time between the Roman occupation and 1550, although it has become established strongly only over the last 200 years. Large specimens were recorded as being present in Ireland in the late 18th century and are likely to have been planted in the late 17th century.

Sycamore has acquired a reputation for being an invasive species. It thrives best however when there is disturbance. Evidence suggests that it cannot dominate woodlands for long periods as it has difficulty regenerating under its own canopy.

Sycamore also has an important ecological role within the UK. It supports huge numbers of aphids which provide an important food supply for organisms as varied as birds and fish. It is also important in supporting a wide range of lichen species, In addition it is a soil improving species suited to soil remediation.

The Sycamore Group held its inaugural meeting in Edinburgh in 2003 its purpose being to increase the availability of quality genetic material for those wanting to plant sycamore. At this meeting the Sycamore Group’s strategy was devised.

Current Research

Short -term

To increase the number of registered seed stands for the species. This will improve the supply of seed from stands of better than average quality and give rapid results. Good progress has been made since 2003 and there are now 7 registered in Britain and 3 in Ireland.

Longer-term

Concurrent with the search for seed stands the group set about the selection of some 200 plus trees across Britain and Ireland for propagation purposes. The basis for selection centered on factors that most affect the timber value of the species. Although straightness was considered an important criterion by the market, a clean stem with no defects is more important. Currently minimum lengths acceptable on timber markets are 2m, but in the future this may change. A further consideration is timber degrade by "green line" or "green ring". It is thought this is due to damage to tissues as a result of early flushing. If this is the case then the timing of flushing is critical. Provisionally it is intended that selection start with late flushing trees, as it is an easy parameter to observe.

The location of each of the plus trees is now entered on the main BIHIP database. Work is in progress on the collection of scion material from the plus trees for propagation. This will enable conservation collections of the material to be established for further breeding work (both breeding seed orchards and seedling seed orchards) at number of sites in both Britain and Ireland.

To date, just over 200 plus trees have been identified. 42 different plus trees have been grafted with 35 of these being successfully grafted and conserved. In Ireland a total of 720 trees have been grafted with a success rate of 39%. In the UK a further 12 plus trees have been grafted.

Related Research

Little work has been undertaken in the UK or Ireland towards improving sycamore. In the UK five provenance trials testing local and continental European origins showed that there was little difference in growth between the local and continental origins. This has encouraged the selection of superior trees or stands to be focused on local populations. Over the last two years the trials have been re-measured and more up to date results will guide the groups work.

Group Membership

If you are interested in learning more about the sycamore group and would like to become a member or you know of any good quality sycamore trees, please get in touch. For this, or to contact any of the Group Members please contact the Sycamore Group secretary Mr. Andrew Clark ().