Golden Sycamore, Sycamore Worleii

Bred in Germany in the 1890s, Acer pseudoplatanus Worleii, known as the Golden Sycamore, is similar to Corstorphinense. Its foliage rivals the Norway Maple (Princeton Gold), but it’s a far better choice 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. It is particularly useful for coastal sites, where it can effectively defend 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, who are never satisfied until they have completely baffled their customers!

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

Mature height: 17-22m

Common names

Golden Sycamore, Sycamore Worleii

Height of tree

17-22m

Soil type

Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types

Shape

Rounded

Foliage Colour

Yellow, Green

Looks good in

Spring

Location

Parkland, Coastal

Genus

Acer