Is this sycamore?

[Will_]

Hi, over the next couple of months I want to learn how to get a friction fire going!
I've never done this before, and I think it's going to be one of those bushcraft milestones for me!
Anyway, I'm trying to get some sycamore for the hearth and spindle.
I know very little about identifying trees, and wanted to check if this is sycamore before I break down a nice dead branch I've spotted on it...
(Sorry I didn't get a photo earlier when the tree had more leaves!!)

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DSC00977[1] by Will_Hince, on Flickr

Thanks for the help
Will:theyareon

 

[shaggystu]

It certainly looks like a Sycamore to me

 

[Macaroon]

I don't think there's much doubt there - everything points to Sycamour.

 

[Will_]

Thank you gentlemen. I was out with a friend the other day who told me he was pretty sure it was not sycamore.
About half an hour later he spotted a sycamore. At this point I discarded his original advice and decided to listen to my friend no longer... The tree he was pointing at was an ash tree
I resolved to take some photos of my potential sycamore tree and to consult people who know what they are talking about... BushcraftUK members!

 

[HillBill]

It is likely a sycamore, but i don't recall ever seeing one with rounded leaves like that one has. (3rd pic)

 

[Mesquite]

Yup, that's sycamore maple.

Only other trees you could mix it up with are its fellow family maples maples like the Norway maple

 

[slowworm]

It is likely a sycamore, but i don't recall ever seeing one with rounded leaves like that one has. (3rd pic)

That's what I would say, probably a sycamore with a slight genetic variation producing leaves with a rounded point but I would need to see the tree and ideally seeds to be 100% sure.

It's not an ash tree, that's for sure.

 

[THOaken]

I thought sycamore was doubly serrated. Those leaf edges look round to me.

Still, can't argue with BCUK's I.D experience.

 

[salad]

I would say thats a mountain maple which is part of the sycamore family , it is an american species but can now be found all over europe . We have quite a lot of it growing here

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=mountain+maple

 

[Kong]

Field Maples have the rounder leafs

 

[Leiflet]

I think the precise species (could be a hybrid of any of those mentioned as far as I know) won't make a big difference to the usefulness of the wood.

Cheers,
Leif

 

[lannyman8]

thats sycamore or sub species defo, you should find some dead wood on the tree or around it, check its ok by pushing your thumb nail into the wood, if it goes in and makes a small mark its all good, if it makes a deep mark then its started to decay and may well be no good...

if the wood is around the tree it will probably look black like mold and may well have little orange bracket fungus on it...

dont forget to check it first though, hope this helps.

regards.

chris.

 

[santaman2000]

I would say thats a mountain maple which is part of the sycamore family , it is an american species but can now be found all over europe . We have quite a lot of it growing here

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=mountain+maple

The Op certainly is NOT an American Sycamore. The would be these:

 

[ozzy1977]

The American sycamore is very similar to the London plane. But the op does have a sycamore.

 

[Davidn]

Looks like Field Maple, Acer Campestre, think that's how you spell it. Would say definitely NOT Sycamore.
David.

 

[Davidn]

That is a plane tree not an Acer(Maple), simple way to tell all Acers have opposite leaves not alternate, i.e. The buds are all opposite on the stems and not alternate as in your pics.
Hope this helps.
David.

 

[Davidn]

Sorry, that's Santaman 2000 pics.
David.

 

[ozzy1977]

Maples are on pairs, opposite and alternate.

 

[Davidn]

I was always told at college Acer is always opposite, and I have never come across one which is alternate. If you know of one please let me know.
David.

 

[Davidn]

After looking in my book, could possibly be Italian Maple Acer opalus.