Appearance
Acer pseudoplatanus is a tall tree that can reach 100 ft. (30 m) or more in height. The bark of the tree has irregular coarse scales that often flake off revealing the orange inner bark. The palmately veined leaves have a leathery texture, unlike most maples, and are dark green above and lighter green and pubescent on the major veins below.
Foliage
The palmate dark green or reddish green leaves have 5 lobes. The two basal lobes are reduced compared to the three middle lobes. The leaf margins are coarsely toothed, but do not have sharp tips. The leaves are 3-6 in. (7.5-15 cm) wide and are cordate at their base. Leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Flowers
The yellow to green flowers appear in April and May at the same time as the leaves. Flowers are in pendulous racemes 2-6 in. (6-15 cm) long. The individual flowers are small, measuring 0.2 in. (4-5 mm) across.
Fruit
The fruits are paired samaras that measure about 1-1.5 in. (3-4 cm) long. The wings of the fruit are at angles of 60-90 degrees. The seeds mature from late summer through early fall and are primarily wind-dispersed.
Ecological Threat
Acer pseudoplatanus is native to Europe and western Asia. It is capable of producing large numbers of seedlings, giving rise to dense tree stands with the potential for crowding out native tree species.