Acer pseudoplatanus Worleii

Bred in Germany in the 1890s, this is a beautiful cultivar similar to Corstorphinense. Commonly known as the Golden Sycamore, Acer psuedoplatatanus Worleii has foliage rivalling that of the Norway Maple, Acer platanoides Princeton Gold, although is a much better selection for exposed sites. The leaves are primrose yellow as they open, darkening to gold before turning green later in the summer, and finally yellow once more in the autumn.

A most elegant, medium sized tree. 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. Michael Dirr, the famous American arborist, reckons that he has come across eight different spellings of Worleii. This represents a trait of tree growers, never satisfied until they have completely baffled their customers!

A recent study has found the foliage and samara produced by sycamore and its cultivars can be highly poisonous to horses and therefore should be avoided when selecting a tree for planting in a paddock.

Mature height: 17-22m