Purple Sycamore

tree
Purple Sycamore belongs to Aceraceae. There are several cultivars in this group all of garden origin. Loudon descibes a purple sycamore - forma purpureum from Sander's nursery in Jersey in 1828. It may be that the two cultivars now widely grown - Acer pseudoplatanus 'Atropurpureum' with purple on the underside of the leaves, as does 'Prince Handjery' but a much slower growth rate which both date from about 1883 and attributed to Spath's nursery, are selections from the Jersey original. Acer pseudoplatanus 'Atropurpureum' is a vigorous-growing, attractive, deciduous tree and have been widely planted in towns and cities for they can withstand pollution well. It is most attractive in a slight wind when the purple undersides are more conspicuous. They will grow to 80' in almost any soil. Like the sycamore the leaves can become infected with tar spot. Mary, Queen of Scots is reported to have planted a Sycamore (or sometimes called the plane tree in Scotland) at Scone Palace. Alas it succumbed to storm damage and old age as recently as 1941.