Sycamore

Scientific name: Acer pseudoplatanus

Family: Sapindaceae

What3Words location: intro.plus.fish

Origin: non-native – introduced to UK by Romans or in Tudor era

Maximum height: 35 metres

Lives for: up to 400 years

We think this is a variety of sycamore called purple sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Purpureum’. Sycamore trees have winged fruits that are very distinctive; they are often called helicopters but they are officially known as samaras. Sycamore wood was used to make decoratively carved love spoons in Wales, which were given as romantic gifts.