Plant Library

Other Names:  Acer pseudoplatanus Spaethii, Planetree Maple

Description:

An unusual maple whose leaves have different shades of purple on each side all season long, also has distinctively purple fruit; a large shade tree best used as a solitary color accent in larger landscapes

Ornamental Features

Purpleleaf Sycamore Maple has attractive purple deciduous foliage on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. It produces fuchsia samaras from early to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Purpleleaf Sycamore Maple is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned in summer after the leaves have fully developed, as it may 'bleed' sap if pruned in late winter or early spring. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Purpleleaf Sycamore Maple is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Purpleleaf Sycamore Maple will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.