White false-plane maple or sycamore (acer pseudoplatanus) is a species widespread in western and southern Europe, the Carpathians, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus. Large photophilous deciduous tree is valued for its decorative qualities and beautiful durable wood.
Botanical Description
In the wild, sycamore grows to 25–40 m. In diameter, the trunks of adult trees reach 100-150 cm. The bark of young plants is silver-gray, thin, fairly smooth. It thickens with age, becomes covered with cracks, becomes lamellar and exfoliates, exposing the deep layers. This gives the trunks a mosaic. Their surface becomes variegated: yellowish and pink spots alternate with ashen and orange. The crowns are wide, domed. Growing in the open, they take the form of thick spreading tents, in group plantings they become pyramidal or ovoid.
The leaves of the sycamore are rough, lighter than that of the holly maple.. The plates are lobate-palmate, coarse, up to 17–25 cm in size, located opposite to the petioles 5–15 cm long. The foliage tint is bright green. Young spring leaves are light, with a golden tint, acquire emerald color by summer. The underside of the plates in some species has purple, pink or silver blotches. By autumn, the foliage becomes orange or crimson.
The flowers are yellowish-green, monoecious, collected in racemose hanging inflorescences about 10-15 cm long. Appear on the branches in April. Seeds ripen in early autumn. As with all types of maple, they are spherical, 4–6 mm in size, located in light large twin lionfish, 4–6 cm long. They are scattered by the wind.
White maple is photophilous, relatively thermophilic, demanding on soil composition, prefers elevated and spacious areas. In a temperate climate, it often freezes in winter, which is why it grows in the form of tall dense bushes.
Name
In ancient Russia, sycamore was called white and other types of maple. In legends, the tree was endowed with magical power, various spells were connected with it. It was believed that sorcerers often turned people who were objectionable to them. For this reason, the trees did not chop for firewood and buildings, did not use its leaves on the farm. If maples grew on the graves of innocently executed or ruined people, they believed that the souls of the dead dwell in them.
White maple is often called a sycamore in Scotland and England because of the characteristic hipped crown and the ability to discard old bark.
Application
Sycamore belongs to fast-growing rocks, resistant to atmospheric pollution, including dust, industrial gases and salts of heavy metals. Thanks to the large foliage, it perfectly purifies the air, releasing a large amount of oxygen. This tree is suitable for landscaping streets, parks and squares.
Sycamore wood is highly durable. The density of the dry mass is about 650 kg / m3that is only slightly less than that of oak. It is a light, almost white material with a discreet texture, straight fibers and a silky sheen. It is easily processed by all types of tools, polished, holds varnishes and paints. It is used for the manufacture of furniture, flooring, finishing panels, veneers, cases of musical instruments, various carpentry, decorative dishes and souvenir products. Maple does not differ in bioresistance; to prevent rapid decay, this material must be treated with antiseptics.
Landing
To place the sycamore, it is advisable to choose light or slightly shaded areas that are protected from the north wind, away from the walls of buildings and communications. Undesirable high groundwater level, heavy clay soil. The earth should be neutral, loose, well drained.
Work is traditionally carried out in April or autumn, in September. Wells for seedlings dig so deep that the root system fits, and the neck remains 2–3 cm above the soil surface. If it is necessary to additionally equip the drainage, the pit is deepened another 15–20 cm. The width should exceed the root diameter by 2–3 times. Small crushed stone, sand or stone chips are preliminarily poured at the bottom. In group plantings, the distance between the holes should be at least 2 m.
The mixture for filling the holes is prepared from 50% peat, 30% turf land, 10% sand and leaf humus. To it add 100 grams of nitroammophoska or any other complex mineral fertilizer. After the maples are planted, 20-30 liters of water are poured under the roots. When it is absorbed, the earth will slightly settle, the root necks will be at the surface level. After 2-3 days, it is advisable to pour an additional 2-3 cm layer of soil or peat into the trunk circles.
Care Rules
White maple needs a lot of moisture. In cool weather in spring and autumn, it must be additionally moistened once a month. In hot and dry summers - at least 1 time per week. Young seedlings require 15–20 liters of water, and adult trees require about 10 liters. After watering, the soil must be loosened to a depth of 7-10 cm, all weeds are removed.
If the maples were planted in fertile soil, you can start fertilizing them from next year. Any organic matter is useful: rotted manure, peat, compost or humus. Top dressing is laid around the trunk 1-2 times a season. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are recommended.
For the winter, young sycamore must be insulated. Before the start of frost, the root system is covered with a thick layer of leaves or spruce branches. Crowns are wrapped in burlap. From 5-6 years of age, trees better adapt to winter colds and cease to need additional protection. They need to be covered only in prolonged frosts below –20 ° C.
Sanitary pruning is necessary for maples annually. Spend it in March, removing all frost-free shoots. When forming a crown, it is necessary to shorten or cut out the whole incorrectly growing and curved branches. It is necessary to get rid of basal shoots, which regularly appear in adult trees. If necessary, you can give the crowns the desired shape, cutting young shoots. However, sycamore rarely need it, as it is decorative and neat by nature.
Diseases and Pests
Green maple often affects coral spotting. Leaves are covered with burgundy spots. It is better to immediately cut and destroy the diseased areas, and to smear the places of cuts with garden var. It is advisable to disinfect the tool before and after work. To prevent fungal diseases, the crowns of trees need to be sprayed in spring with Bordeaux liquid or a solution of copper sulfate.
Of the harmful insects, sycamore weevils, whiteflies, and flour bugs are frightening to sycamore.. Damaged leaves and shoots along with larvae are recommended to be cut and burned. Sick trees must be sprayed with Ammophos, Karbofos, Nitrafen. To prevent infection with parasites, it is advisable to carry out treatment at the end of winter, before budding.