Red Maple vs American Sycamore - TreeTime.ca

Red Maple vs American Sycamore

Acer rubrum

Platanus occidentalis

Red Maple
American Sycamore

Red Maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that blooms with small red flowers in the spring. It is one of the first trees to change colour in the fall, turning a brilliant reddish-orange colour. It is one of the most common and widespread maples in North America.

Red Maple is a great choice for parks and large gardens where there is ample room for its root system.

Important note: Red Maple leaves are toxic to horses if ingested in quantity.

American Sycamore is the largest tree native to eastern North America. Generally too large and messy to be a street tree, American Sycamore thrives in large, open spaces, such as an acreage or farm.

The bark is one of the main features that draw people to this tree. The outer bark flakes off in irregular pieces to reveal an attractive white, green, and cream colored inner layer, providing winter interest.

American Sycamore has an extremely fast growth rate, gaining up to 6 ft in one year, and will easily reach its mature height in a short period of time. Be wary of this trees' root system, as it's typically very extensive and needs lots of room to expand.

Red Maple Quick Facts

American Sycamore Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 60%
Lowest Price: $9.99 - SAVE UP TO 41%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Height: 23 m (75 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none

In row spacing: 2.4 - 4 m (8 - 12 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)

Toxicity: wilted leaves toxic to horses

Other Names: soft maple, swamp maple, water maple