Sycamore

	Acer pseudoplatanus - belonging to the genus Acer - the maples - pseudoplatanus means "false plane". In Latin, acer means "sharp" as maple wood was good for making spears. When and who first introduced sycamore to Britain is uncertain. It may have been the Romans but it was still scarce here in the 16th century and has only really become established over the last 200 years. The sycamore is hardy in lowland Britain up to about 500m above sea level. It is a tough tree, withstanding exposure and industrial pollution and salt-laden winds along the coasts. *good choice then!*
	It is a useful windbreak both round upland farms and in coastal areas. In spring, the small pale green flowers hang in clusters. Along with field maple and limes, sycamore is the only common tree with insect pollinated flowers and is a vital source of pollen and nectar for bees. The bunches of fertilised flowers develop into winged seeds or "helicopters". When ripe, they spin away from the parent tree in the autumn wind. The thick foliage casts a dense summer shade when hordes of aphids and other flying insects may infest sycamores. Aphids feeding on the leaves drop large quantities of honeydew. Sycamore timber is creamy-white, clean and free from unpleasant smells or tastes, making it ideal for uses associated with food. It is widely used for furniture making and joinery and is excellent for flooring. More on this here
	In ancient Egyptian mythology, the gods sat upon a sycamore fig, Ficus sycomorus, and twin sycamore figs stood at the eastern gate of heaven *Sycamore represents growth, persistence, strength and endurance.* *For druidic information click here*
	Seeing the picture (left) and reading the description of the bark of the sycamore has solved a mystery for me - what were the heavily pollarded trees with distinctive patterned bark that were such a feature of the lakeside walk at Tremezzo, Lake Como (near right) and the wide streets of Narbonne, Southern France (below, 2,3,4). So this seedling now becomes a potent reminder of those happy cycling days (far right Menaggio; below left Lenno; bottom)

Peyriac de Mer, near Narbonne - also far right, the Lagoon where flamingoes land	Mountains above Lenno, Lake Como	Lenno, Lakeside