SYCAMORE AND NORWAY MAPLE 375 



SYCAMORE AND NORWAY MAPLE. 



Acer pseudo-platamis = Sycamore. 

 Acer platanoides = Norway Maple. 



Acer campestris = The Field Maple. 



Neither of these trees are native to this country. 



As to Seed. They both produce abundant crops of seed 

 from about the 35th year onwards; and good seed years are 

 very frequent. 



The germinative capacity of both Sycamore and Norway 

 Maple is about 55 per cent. ; and I Ib. of seed of either 

 Sycamore or Norway Maple contains about 5500 seeds. 



The timber of both species is fairly hard and whitish ; 

 but not very durable in the open. Large clean butts are in 

 great demand ; otherwise, the market is not usually good. 

 The timber should be quickly removed from the forest, as, 

 like all white timbers, it deteriorates if left. 



Soil and Situation. Both trees will grow on almost any 

 soil, except very dry sandy soils, provided they be fairly 

 deep, or that the subsoil be disintegrated. 



The Norway Maple is even more accommodating than 

 the Sycamore. Both trees are very storm-proof and grow 

 fairly well by the seaside, especially the Norway Maple. 



They are somewhat susceptible to late spring frosts. 



Cultivation, etc. On moist deep soils the trees will bear 

 a fair amount of shade when they are young. The foliage is 

 fairly dense, but pure crops will seldom be advisable. Gener- 

 ally, they should be planted, sporadically, in even-aged high 

 forest, or in little groups of 3 or 5, when they should be 

 allowed to grow to maturity, which is reached at about 100 

 years. 



As coppice, the stools do not last very long, but the stool 

 shoots are vigorous ; those of the Norway Maple more so 

 than the Sycamore. 



Both trees grow very rapidly when quite young, averaging 

 1 8 inches to 2 feet 6 inches a year; and very little shock is 

 experienced in being transplanted. In fact, these two trees, 



