THE SYCAMORE MAPLE 
i8i 
offered for sale in Scotland, in which 
the Sycamore trees constituted the main 
value. In suitable situations the tree is 
easily and quickly grown to a height of 
50 feet or more, and if carefully regu- 
lated and not over-thinned makes an 
almost straight trunk with very little 
taper. From estimates made at different 
The Sycamore {Acer pseudo-plaianus). 
Form of isolated tree. 
times as regards age, girth, and space 
required, I have calculated that a final 
crop of 200 to 300 trees to the acre 
might be produced in 50 or 60 years, 
these being worth— at a low price, and 
for trunk alone — from 30s. to 40s. each. 
The price goes up with a bound as soon 
as the trunk squares 1 1 inches in the 
middle, and to secure this girth in the 
time named a considerable leaf-area is 
necessary after the height-growth is 
attained. A very thick trunk is not 
the most important consideration. The 
wood is white in young trees, but gets 
somewhat cloudy with age. 
As an ornamental tree the Sycamore 
is superior to the English Elm and is 
well worth planting in parks, where it 
forms a large storm-proof tree. It varies 
considerably in habit and there are four 
distinct forms— the common green- 
leaved kind, the purple-leaved with 
dark-green leaves and purplish-red 
veins and footstalks, the variegated, and 
the "Corstorphine" or "Golden Plane." 
The purple variety is very common in 
Scotland and is, if anything, the most 
vigorous grower of the four. All succeed 
in well-nigh any soil or situation, north 
and south, but they grow best in deep 
moist land if not water-logged, moisture 
at the root being of more importance 
than a rich soil. Fine trees are none the 
less found in high and exposed situa- 
tions on dry rocky soils, and however 
much exposed, such trees are rarely in- 
jured by gales. The Sycamore is more 
abundant in the north of England, in 
Scotland, and in Wales, than in the 
south-country. Westmorland is said 
to be the home of the Sycamore, and it 
SVCAMORE-LKAF ANIi FLOWERING SPRAYS. 
is certainly plentiful there,the cool damp 
climate appearing to suit it well. In 
j Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and in Wales 
j large trees are often seen at high eleva- 
tions in and about farm houses and 
