Acer Pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) 'Spaethii'

Species	:	Acer Pseudoplatanus Spaethii
Common Name(s)	:	Sycamore
Tree Features	:	Red/Purple Foliage
Genus	:	Acer
Growth Rate	:	Fast Growing
Seasons of Interest	:	Summer Interest
Shape	:	Oval
Mature Size	:	Medium to Large (15-20m)
Tree Type	:	Deciduous Broad Leaf
Tree uses	:	Coastal Planting
Tolerances	:	Wind-resistant
Tree uses	:	Urban Sites,Cold Exposed Sites,Parkland Trees

The dark foliage of this sycamore makes it a great choice for planting in bright, sunny positions and avenues!

Also known as Acer pseudoplatanus Purpureum Spaethii and Acer pseudoplatanus Atropurpureum, this large tree is effective in exposed, windy sites as the underneath of the foliage is purple.

Introduced in the early 1860s. It tolerates air pollution and thrives in most soils, and is particularly useful for coastal sites where it can make an effective defence against strong winds and salt-laden air.

There are very few varieties of tree that offer an alternative leaf colour to green that can still be planted near the coast.

As sea breezes are always a factor in these settings the contrast between the top and bottom sides of the leaves is constantly on display.

Autumn colour is also quite dramatic so one gets an ornamental quality that can lift a drab landscape for difficult and exposed sites.

Mature height: 15-20m

Shopping cart

The cart is empty

Plant trees for the Jubilee

How you can support the Woodland Trust's Jubilee Woods Project to plant 6 million new trees to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.

Find Similar Trees

Genus

Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple)

It forms an oval to rounded crown at maturity and is well suited to streets or gardens. New ...

Acer campestre 'Arends' (Field Maple)

It thrives in rich, well drained soils, but does well in virtually any soil type, and will ...

Acer campestre 'Elegant' (Field Maple)

It retains a compact, ascending habit, is vigorous in growth, and gives uniformity if planted in ...

Acer lobelii (Lobels Maple)

It is a native of Southern Italy and was introduced into the UK in 1683. It is one of the few ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) 'Negenia'

Negenia has dark green, red stalked leaves. It tolerates air pollution and thrives in most ...

Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) 'Laciniata Wieri'

Its large, wide limbs make it a splendid subject for parks and other open spaces. Like its ...

Acer x freemanii Autumn Fantasy

Introduced from the USA by Bill Wandell of Illinois and new to our range in 2010. Its real ...

Tree Features

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) 'Deborah'

Introduced in the 1970s, the spring leaves are bright red, gradually turning to dark ...

Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' (Purple Beech)

The Purple Beech is one of our most beautiful trees. A superb tree for creating contrast in a ...

Photinia x fraseri (Christmas Berry) 'Red Robin'

This beautiful clone was bred in New Zealand and won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. Much is ...

Prunus cerasifera (Cherry Plum) 'Nigra'

Introduced in the early 1900s this form of the Cherry Plum (or Myrobolan) usually sets only a ...

Growth Rate

Acer campestre Queen Elizabeth (Field Maple)

Queen Elizabeth™ is fast growing, has a relatively narrow habit and is larger and darker leaved ...

Acer negundo (Box Elder)

A medium to large tree, which is particularly fast growing in its first few years. A row of ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore)

Its wood has been used for making innumerable small items from violins to wooden spoons. It is ...

Betula ermanii (Birch) Holland

This birch is originally from North East Asia and Japan and was first cultivated in the ...

Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)

A native of North America, it makes a medium sized tree in the UK. It is a vigorous tree with ...

Corylus avellana (Hazel)

The squirrel’s favourite, also known as the cobnut or Filbert, this is our native Hazel. We ...

Corylus avellana Zellernus (Red Filbert)

Also known as Red Filbert, this is a great improvement on Corylus maxima Purpurea. I have one ...

Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Castlewellan' (Golden Leyland)

The Golden Leyland Cypress is often considered more amenable than the green leaved form though ...

Fraxinus angustifolia (Ash) 'Raywood'

This ash cultivar was introduced to Britain from Australia in the mid 1920s. Referred to by ...

Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch)

This deciduous conifer was introduced from its native Japan in the early 1860s by the well known ...

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) 'Fastigiatum'

This very upright form tends to flower earlier than its parent and we regularly see a decent ...

Malus Bramley seedling

A superb and well known cooking apple that produces large green fruits. It has been in ...

Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa' (Dragon's Claw Willow)

Introduced from its native China in 1905, the fondly known ‘Wiggerly Willow’ is otherwise known ...

Salix pentandra (Bay Willow)

The native Bay Willow is sometimes found growing wild in northern areas of Britain and developed ...

Thuya plicata (Western Red Cedar) 'Atrovirens'

A form of the Western Red Cedar. It is an important timber tree in its native North America, ...

Tilia tomentosa (Silver Lime) 'Brabant'

This Dutch clonal selection of Silver Lime was introduced into the UK in the early 1970s and won ...

Tilia x europaea 'Pallida' (Kaiser Linden)

The Kaiser Linden is the Lime of the famous Unter den Linden in Berlin and has been highly rated ...

Tilia x europaea (Common Lime)

Once the most frequently planted Lime, this is a very long lived tree and commonly planted in ...

Ulmus (Elm) 'Dodoens'

This Elm was seed-raised in the 1950s and eventually released for general cultivation in ...

Ulmus (Elm) 'Lobel'

This Elm cultivar was raised at Wageningen in the Netherlands, and was selected for its ...

Season of Interest

Acer palmatum Dissectum Garnet (Japanese Maple)

It is a strong growing form with good autumn colour. We grow this as a full standard tree with ...

Acer palmatum Fireglow (Japanese Maple)

Developed around 1977, this is thought to be an improved clone of the superb ...

Acer palmatum Lionheart (Cut Leaved Japanese Maple)

We grow this clone as a quarter standard as it’s finely dissected leaves give such a lovely soft ...

Camellia sasanqua Rosea (Camellia)

Introduced in the early 1800s and a native of China and Japan, this acid loving small evergreen ...

Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut) 'Variegata'

A beautiful sport of sweet chestnut that grows slower and is of a smaller ultimate size that its ...

Catalpa bignonioides (Indian Bean Tree) 'Aurea'

This golden leaved form of the superb Indian Bean Tree and was introduced in the late 1870s and ...

Cercis siliquastrum (Judas Tree)

A most beautiful tree despite its association with Judas Iscariot. Introduced in the 16th ...

Fagus sylvatica (Beech) 'Rohanii'

Thought to be a cross between Fagus sylvatica Quercifolia and Purpurea, this extremely pretty ...

Koelreuteria paniculata (Pride of India) 'Fastigiata'

A columnar form of Pride of India. Raised by Kew Gardens from seeds received in 1888 from ...

Malus Bramley seedling

A superb and well known cooking apple that produces large green fruits. It has been in ...

Mespilus germanica (Medlar)

The Medlar has been in cultivation since early times, having been grown in the Emperor ...

Prunus padus (Bird Cherry)

The Bird Cherry, a native of Britain as well as the rest of Europe, is a relatively late ...

Quercus castaneifolia (Chestnut-leaved Oak)

The Chestnut-leaved Oak was introduced from the Caucasus and Iran in the mid 1840s but is rarely ...

Quercus robur (Common Oak, English Oak)

Very long-lived, its hard timber has been used to produce the finest furniture, from ships ...

Quercus x hispanica 'Wageningen'

This rarely seen tree is thought to be a hybrid between Quercus Castanefolia and Quercus ...

Robinia pseudoacacia (False Acacia) 'Casque Rouge'

This delightful cultivar of False Acacia makes a particularly fine garden, verge or parkland ...

Robinia pseudoacacia (False Acacia) 'Umbraculifera'

In cultivation since the early 1800s this top grafted clone forms a rounded and compact crown ...

Salix pentandra (Bay Willow)

The native Bay Willow is sometimes found growing wild in northern areas of Britain and developed ...

Tilia tomentosa (Silver Lime) 'Brabant'

This Dutch clonal selection of Silver Lime was introduced into the UK in the early 1970s and won ...

Ulmus (Elm) 'Dodoens'

This Elm was seed-raised in the 1950s and eventually released for general cultivation in ...

Shape

Acer campestre 'Louisa Red Shine' (Field Maple)

The new leaves are flushed with crimson before turning mauve/green as the season ...

Acer palmatum Dissectum Garnet (Japanese Maple)

It is a strong growing form with good autumn colour. We grow this as a full standard tree with ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Golden Sycamore) 'Worleii'

The leaves are primrose yellow as they open, darkening to gold before turning green in ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) 'Brilliantissimum'

The young leaves in spring are a wonderful shell pink, hardening to light green by June. An ...

Acer rubrum (Canadian Maple) 'Scanlon'

Denser than Acer freemanii Armstrong, this very worthy clone has been superseded by cultivars ...

Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) 'Baumannii'

It was propogated from a branch sport from the mother hippocastanum tree. It is notable for its ...

Amelanchier arborea (Juneberry) 'Robin Hill'

A wonderful small tree that we consider to be by far the best tree form of Serviceberry on the ...

Crataegus x lavalleei (Hybrid Cockspur Thorn)

A small hawthorn tree which produces a dense crown of thorn clad branches that give rise to its ...

Crataegus x prunifolia (Broad-leaved Cockspur Thorn)

This small hawthorn is thornier than most others and won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. It ...

Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum)

This Gum is a native of the highlands of Tasmania and Australia and was introduced to the UK in ...

Fraxinus angustifolia (Ash) 'Raywood'

This ash cultivar was introduced to Britain from Australia in the mid 1920s. Referred to by ...

Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash)

This very tough native tree is well known for its timber uses. It is easily recognized when ...

Laburnum x watereri 'Vossii'

A most floriferous cultivar that won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. Selected in Holland ...

Malus (Crab Apple) 'Red Sentinel'

Brought into cultivation in 1959, this profusely fruiting crab is a favourite for gardeners who ...

Morus nigra (Black Mulberry)

Brought to Britain by the Romans and widely planted by James I, who wished to establish a silk ...

Nothofagus antarctica (Antarctic Beech)

A native of Chile and introduced to Britain in the early 1830s, this beech is a fast ...

Pinus pinea (Italian Stone Pine)

The Stone Pine is sometimes also known as the Umbrella Pine. Its seeds, which when roasted, are ...

Prunus (Flowering Cherry) 'Kanzan'

A very widely planted and most popular Flowering Cherry. Introduced in the early 1900s, it has ...

Sorbus cashmiriana (Kashmir Rowan)

This very pretty garden tree has won a string of horticultural awards over the years including ...

Sorbus x arnoldiana (Rowan) 'Schouten'

A reliable, low-maintenance Mountain Ash clone that has proved to be a very popular choice for ...

Size

Acer campestre Queen Elizabeth (Field Maple)

Queen Elizabeth™ is fast growing, has a relatively narrow habit and is larger and darker leaved ...

Acer negundo (Box Elder)

A medium to large tree, which is particularly fast growing in its first few years. A row of ...

Acer rubrum (Canadian Maple) 'Scanlon'

Denser than Acer freemanii Armstrong, this very worthy clone has been superseded by cultivars ...

Alnus spaethii

It will also tolerate coastal conditions. The large leaves are purple tinged when young and it ...

Betula pendula 'Tristis' (Weeping Birch)

Introduced in 1867 this outstanding cultivar won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. It is a ...

Betula pendula Zwisters Glory

This new selection originated from J van Roessel in Switzerland and was introduced into the ...

Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) 'Fastigiata'

This Hornbeam received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2002. A ...

Carpinus betulus Purpurea

Introduced in the mid 1870s this unusual tree is well suited for plant collections and ...

Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress) 'Glauca'

A selection of the Smooth Arizona Cypress, this striking conifer is a native of South Eastern ...

Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck' (Fastigiate Beech)

The Fastigiate Beech – a rather ugly name for a rather beautiful tree! Originating in Dawyck, ...

Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Red Ash, Green Ash) 'Summit'

An American selection of the Red Ash or, confusingly as it is also known, the Green Ash. ...

Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree) 'Lakeview'

This male Scanlon introduction develops a compact pyramidal habit that is well suited for urban ...

Gymnocladus dioica (Kentucky Coffee Tree)

The Kentucky Coffee Tree is surely one of the most handsome of all trees. The seeds were used ...

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) 'Stella'

This Sweet Gum with deeply cut star-like leaves resembles a semi dwarfing clone of Liquidambar ...

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) 'Thea'

This lovely Sweet Gum is broad leaved and late to colour in the autumn, starting with the top ...

Nothofagus antarctica (Antarctic Beech)

A native of Chile and introduced to Britain in the early 1830s, this beech is a fast ...

Picea omorika (Serbian Spruce)

The Serbian Spruce was widely distributed through much of Europe before the onset of the Ice ...

Quercus castaneifolia (Chestnut-leaved Oak)

The Chestnut-leaved Oak was introduced from the Caucasus and Iran in the mid 1840s but is rarely ...

Quercus x hispanica 'Wageningen'

This rarely seen tree is thought to be a hybrid between Quercus Castanefolia and Quercus ...

Tilia platyphyllos 'Rubra' (Red-twigged Lime)

The Red-twigged Lime is a slow grower than its parent and its fresh red twiggy growth is ...

Tolerance

Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

Its common name derives from the Amur River, which divides China and Russia. One of the very ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) 'Negenia'

Negenia has dark green, red stalked leaves. It tolerates air pollution and thrives in most ...

Ginkgo biloba Saratoga

This handsome broadly pyramidal male clone retains a distinctive central leader and was ...

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) 'Aureomarginatum'

This form of the Tulip Tree has yellow variegation to its leaves and was introduced in the early ...

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree)

Introduced from America in the late 1680s this stately tree is known as Whitewood in North ...

Pinus pinaster (Bournemouth Pine)

A highly useful introduction from the Western Mediterranean. Introduced in the 16th century it ...

Sorbus intermedia (Swedish Whitebeam) 'Brouwers'

This Swedish Whitebeam clone has a more pyramidal crown than the species and is more commonly ...

Tamarix tetrandra (Tamarisk)

The Tamarisk is so evocative of old fashioned, Mediterranean fishing villages. Introduced way ...

Ulmus (Elm) 'Clusius'

This Dutch hybrid was raised at Wageningen and released for general cultivation in 1983. It is ...

Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii'

The Camperdown Elm is a form of Wych Elm. The original appeared at Camperdown House, near ...

Tree Type

Acer palmatum Bloodgood (Japanese Maple)

This clone won the Award of Garden merit in 2002. Recognised as one of the best clones of its ...

Acer platanoides 'Olmstead'

A good choice as a street tree and where space is restricted. It does well on most soil types, ...

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) 'Princeton Gold'

We recommend it for both park and street planting. Developed in the States, the foliage can ...

Acer pseudoplatanus (Golden Sycamore) 'Worleii'

The leaves are primrose yellow as they open, darkening to gold before turning green in ...

Aesculus indica (Indian Horse Chestnut)

We are indebted to Henry Girling who very kindly gave us seed from the clonal selection Sydney ...

Alnus cordata (Italian Alder)

It’s shiny, green, pear-like leaves last well into winter, particularly under street ...

Betula nigra (River Birch) Heritage

Also known as the Red Birch, this is one of the very best trees for wet soils and we favour the ...

Cornus kousa 'Milky Way' (Dogwood)

Selected from a seedbed in Ohio USA in the 1960s, this highly floriferous clone is considered to ...

Crataegus monogyna 'Alboplena'

This small tree is very silimar in most respects to C. monogyna, but has double white flowers. ...

Diospyros kaki (Japanese Persimmon)

Introduced from China in 1796, this small tree has been grown in the Far East for hundreds of ...

Ficus (Fig) carica

A native of Western Asia, this well known fruiting tree was introduced into the UK in the early ...

Fraxinus ornus (Flowering Ash) 'Obelisk'

As its name suggests, this Flowering Ash has a narrow, columnar habit, ideal for restricted ...

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crab)

A most elegant crab, introduced from Japan in the early 1860s, but prone to suffer badly from ...

Prunus (Flowering Cherry) 'Kanzan'

A very widely planted and most popular Flowering Cherry. Introduced in the early 1900s, it has ...

Prunus (Flowering Cherry) 'Pandora'

This wonderful Prunus yedoensis cross is a great choice for an urban garden or street. It won ...

Prunus pennsylvanica 'Auburn Splendour'

The species from which this clone was created was introduced into the UK from North America in ...

Prunus serrula 'Tibetica' (Tibetan Cherry)

This lovely cherry was introduced from Western China in 1908 by Ernest Wilson and is surely one ...

Quercus cerris (Turkey Oak)

The highly durable Turkey Oak was introduced into the UK in 1735. A magnificent specimen can be ...

Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime) 'Greenspire'

This American clone derived from the cultivar ‘Euclid’. A selection from a Boston Park, it has ...

Tilia mongolica (Mongolian Lime)

The Mongolian Lime was introduced from its homeland in the early 1880s. It is both aphid ...

Tree Uses

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Also considered a native of both China and Korea, this magnificent tree can outstrip size ...

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) 'Drummondii'

It produces magnificently variegated foliage which has a wide, creamy white margin. Any shoots ...

Acer rubrum Bowhall

I first saw this tree in Portland, Oregon, growing in narrow pavements and thriving. Although ...

Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar) 'Karl Fuchs'

This form of the Deodar Cedar is named after the German plant collector who brought the seed ...

Cupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland Cypress)

Love it or loathe it, the Leyland Cypress is Europe’s fastest growing conifer. It is a cross ...

Fraxinus excelsior 'Diversifolia' (One-leaved Ash)

The One-leaved Ash is a fast-growing tree which has been in cultivation since the late 1780s. ...

Ginkgo biloba Princeton Sentry

Raised by the famous but now sadly out of business Princeton Nursery in New Jersey. In our ...

Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)

Introduced from native central and eastern America into Europe in 1629, this fast growing tree ...

Liquidambar 'Variegata' (Varigated Sweet Gum)

This Sweet Gum is a must for those who like their variegated trees. The striking foliage is ...

Magnolia denudata Yellow River (Yellow Yulan Magnolia)

A lovely addition to our deciduous Magnolia range, producing large canary yellow flowers in ...

Malus (Crab Apple) 'Mokum'

A beautiful crab for small gardens, parks and verges that is often overlooked by people ...

Prunus 'Okame' (Flowering Cherry)

This very pretty cherry is derived from Prunus incisa and was raised by Captain Collingwood ...

Prunus (Flowering Cherry) 'Royal Burgundy'

This Flowering Cherry is rather like a purple-leaved equivalent of the well known Prunus ...

Prunus Victoria

The nation’s favourite eating plum, grown on a semi dwarfing stock here at Barcham as a full ...

Newsletter Signup

Fill in this form if you would like to receive Special Offers and updates from Barcham

Recently Visited

More About This Tree

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) 'Spaethii' from Barcham Trees