Sycamore (white maple): photo and description of the tree

Botanical description

In the wild, sycamore grows up to 25–40 m . The diameter of the trunks of mature trees reaches 100–150 cm. The bark of young plants is silver-gray, thin, and rather smooth. With age, it thickens, becomes covered with cracks, becomes lamellar and flakes off, exposing deeper layers. This gives the trunks a mosaic appearance. Their surface acquires a variegated color: yellowish and pink spots alternate with ashy and orange. The crowns are wide and dome-shaped. When growing in open spaces, they take on the appearance of dense, spreading tents; in group plantings they become pyramidal or ovoid.

Sycamore leaves are rough, lighter in color than those of Norway maple . The plates are lobed-fingered, coarsely toothed, up to 17–25 cm in size, located oppositely on petioles 5–15 cm long. The foliage is bright green. Young spring leaves are light, with a golden tint, and by summer they acquire an emerald color. The underside of the plates in some varieties has purple, pink or silver inclusions. By autumn the foliage turns orange or purple.

The flowers are yellowish-green, monoecious, collected in racemose pendulous inflorescences about 10–15 cm long. They appear on the branches in April. The seeds ripen in early autumn. Like all types of maple, they are spherical, 4–6 mm in size, located in light, large double winglets 4–6 cm long. They are dispersed by the wind.

White maple is light-loving, relatively thermophilic, picky about soil composition, and prefers elevated and spacious areas. In temperate climates it often freezes in winter, which is why it grows in the form of tall, dense bushes.

Combination of maple and wenge oak colors

Bright light contrast. It is akin to black and white. Thanks to it, the entire interior will look rich and defined. To maintain this powerful contrast, choose a bright wallpaper, such as red and purple. It will go well with the maple color. Upholstered furniture should be chosen in a white-gray shade: leather is possible, but textiles are also suitable. Gold will look good in such an interior, but for wenge it is better to choose chrome fittings. Add pale green and pink orchid colors to this interior.

Name

In ancient Rus', sycamore was the name given to white and other types of maple. In legends, the tree was endowed with magical powers and various spells were associated with it. It was believed that sorcerers often turned people they disliked into it. For this reason, trees were not cut down for firewood and buildings, and their leaves were not used on the farm. If maples grew on the graves of innocently executed or murdered people, they believed that the souls of the dead inhabited them.

White maple is often called sycamore in Scotland and England because of its characteristic tent-shaped crown and the ability to shed old bark in plates.

Tinting effects

Depending on the palette of shades used, the type of stain and the desire of the craftsman, you can give the wood a variety of effects. Due to the latter, design possibilities are greatly expanded.

Whitening process

White color is very popular in the interior. In addition, with the help of bleaching, you can restore the normal appearance of old wood, which has lost its attractiveness, but has acquired dark, bluish spots. You can also decorate some interior elements, for example, cover photo frames and paintings with bleaching stain.

Embossed white products that have been treated with special brushes look beautiful (this removes too soft fibers). After finishing the processing, they are covered with a white, light walnut stain. To protect the wood from the influence of atmospheric factors, you can apply white wax on top.

Aging of wood

An interesting option for finishing wood is to give it an aged effect. First, the product must be prepared: remove dirt, sand it, brush off dust. Then a water-based stain in white or another light color is applied to the wood. The freshly applied mixture is removed from some areas with strokes using a sponge. After drying, a finishing coat based on organic solvents is required, and to fix the shade, the pores are filled with shellac primer or wood varnish.

In addition to this method of making wood look old, there is another popular method. First you need to apply white stain, after drying, sand the product, then gently rub in dark wax. This will enhance the impression of great “age” of the coating and bring it closer to the “bleached oak” shade.

Imitation ebony

For this purpose, dark stains are used, which are marked accordingly. The wood is first sanded and polished to achieve maximum aesthetic effect. Then the stain is applied, performing one or two layers. In order for the surface to resemble a black mirror with knots appearing, you need to choose the hardest, most dense, finely porous rocks.

Giving other shades

Depending on the style, features of the interior or landscape, you can give wooden structures a variety of colors. It is only important that they all fit well with each other and do not conflict. The most commonly used non-wood shades are:

blue - sometimes used as the main coating of finished products, pieces of furniture, gives them a very expressive look, goes well with white and yellow tones,
gray – used in combination with bright accents, otherwise the product will turn out faceless; if there is an abundance of gray in the interior, there is a risk of depression,
red – helps to highlight one or more elements from the total mass.

Some people try to save money and paint the wood themselves. Instead of stain, onion peels, alum, infusion of walnuts and other “folk remedies” are used. Unfortunately, the effect is rarely lasting, so it is better to purchase a high-quality composition that will last a long time and without complaints.

Application

Sycamore is a fast-growing species that is resistant to atmospheric pollution, including dust, industrial gases and heavy metal salts. Thanks to its large foliage, it perfectly purifies the air, releasing large amounts 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/m3, which is only slightly less than that of oak. This is a light, almost white material with a discreet texture, straight fibers and a silky sheen. It is easily processed with all types of tools, polished, and holds varnishes and paints. It is used for the manufacture of furniture, flooring, finishing panels, veneer, musical instrument bodies, various carpentry, decorative dishes and souvenirs. Maple is not bioresistant; to prevent rapid decay, this material must be treated with antiseptics.

White maple tree: where it grows and is used

Sycamore is popular due to its unpretentiousness and accelerated growth: within a year it grows up to 80 cm in height and up to half a meter in width. This variety of maple is common in North America, Northern Europe and Iceland.

This slender tree is valued for its white and wear-resistant wood, which is used to create stringed musical instruments: violins, gusli, domra, as well as in the furniture industry and for making parquet.

This type of maple is also grown for decorative purposes in parks and gardens; it grows equally in ecologically clean areas and in polluted urban areas. Maple is a light-loving tree, can withstand strong gusts of wind, and is resistant to the dirt and salt of winter city roads.

Landing

To place sycamore, it is advisable to choose light or slightly shaded areas, protected from the north wind, away from the walls of buildings and communications. High groundwater levels and heavy clay soil are undesirable. The soil should be neutral, loose, well drained.

Work is traditionally carried out in April or autumn, in September . Holes for seedlings are dug to such a depth that the root system is located, and the neck remains 2–3 cm above the soil surface. If it is necessary to additionally equip drainage, the hole is deepened another 15–20 cm. The width should be 2–3 times the diameter of the roots. Fine crushed stone, sand or stone chips are first poured onto the bottom. For group plantings, the distance between holes should be at least 2 m.

The mixture for filling holes is prepared from 50% peat, 30% turf soil, 10% sand and leaf humus . 100 grams of nitroammophoska or any other complex mineral fertilizer are added to it. After the maples are planted, 20–30 liters of water are poured under the roots. When it is absorbed, the earth will settle slightly, the root collars will be at surface level. After 2–3 days, it is advisable to pour an additional 2–3 cm layer of soil or peat into the tree trunk circles.

Color combinations

The maple color is light and warm. Furniture made from this wood fits perfectly into any interior and visually expands the space. It can be combined with products from a wide variety of wood species. In one room you can place a light maple cabinet and a dark oak table next to each other. Being next to each other, they will contrast with each other, creating an interesting combination.

You can fill the room with color by combining light maple and dark mountain larch. As a result of this mixture, the warm shade will look even more comfortable, and the room will acquire a special chic. Dark wallpaper and light parquet will help to further enhance the contrast. You can also combine maple with walnut parts. They will highlight the furniture against the background of light walls and prevent it from getting lost in space.

In the interior, a warm yellowish color goes well with pastel shades.

Bed linen in a soft lilac shade will look great on a maple bed. If we are talking about a closet, then it will not be lost against the background of dark blue or purple wallpaper. Pistachio and other delicate colors will help to dilute the interior.

Maple products will fit perfectly into any interior. The plasticity of wood allows us to make furniture in a variety of colors and shapes. Most often this material is used in the following styles:

Baroque - implies a rich, elaborate interior. The rooms, decorated with decorative elements, are complemented by the splendor of furniture of the most bizarre shapes. It is this that plays the leading role and attracts the eye. For furniture in the Baroque style, maple is painted dark and the wood texture is highlighted.
Empire style is another decorative style. Coming from France in the 19th century, it is distinguished by its richness and abundance of detail. Empire style maple furniture is distinguished by symmetry, massive shapes, floral patterns and a large number of mirrors. Part of the decor can be made using bronze or gilding.
Classic – considered universal. Strict, elegant beds, wardrobes, and tables made of maple will easily fit into any environment and add sophistication to the interior. No paint is used when decorating, so the wood most often retains its natural shade.
Modern – characterized by spaciousness and a lot of light. Furniture made in this style is functional, simple, and goes well with any decoration.

Thanks to its versatility, maple can be used in almost all styles. It easily changes color as well as shape, helping the designer get the desired result.

Maple furniture looks best in a modern interior decorated with contrasting shades.

Rules of care

White maple needs a lot of moisture . In cool weather in spring and autumn, it should be additionally moistened once a month. In hot and dry summers - at least once a week. Young seedlings require 15–20 liters of water, mature trees - about 10 liters. After watering, the soil must be loosened to a depth of 7–10 cm, and all weeds must be removed.

If maples were planted in fertile soil, you can start fertilizing them next year. Any organic matter is useful: rotted manure, peat, compost or humus. Fertilizing is spread around the trunk 1-2 times a season. In spring it is recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizers.

For the winter, young sycamore trees must be insulated . Before frost begins, the root system is covered with a thick layer of leaves or spruce branches. The crowns are wrapped in burlap. From 5–6 years of age, trees adapt better to winter cold and no longer need additional protection. They need to be covered only during prolonged frosts below –20 °C.

Sanitary pruning is necessary for maples every year . It is carried out in March, removing all frosty shoots. When forming a crown, incorrectly growing and twisted branches need to be shortened or cut out entirely. You should also get rid of the root shoots that regularly appear on mature trees. If necessary, you can give the crowns the desired shape by pruning young shoots. However, sycamores rarely need this, since they are decorative and neat by nature.

Maple color: combination in the interior with other colors

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Maple color is a light and warm tone. In the interior it is combined with wallpaper and furniture, creating contrasting or pastel colors. Examples. Photo.

Maple wood has a light, yellowish tint. Maple furniture was popular in the 1950s through the mid-60s because of its natural hue. Wardrobes, bedside tables, chests of drawers, and sideboards were made from maple. Tables made from a monolithic piece of wood were especially valuable. The light maple color helped expand the space and made the furniture less bulky. Maple colored slats were used to highlight the contrast next to dark woods or upholstery. Maple parquet is especially valuable; maple boards are durable and abrasion-resistant. Maple stairs are also valued.

Maple wood is hard, and at the same time, elastic and viscous, it is practically not subject to warping. Pliable for processing, it can be easily painted, varnished and stained. Its only drawback is its tendency to change color when drying, that is, over time, maple-colored furniture becomes more yellow. This has led to a decline in popularity for maple furniture. In modern industry, maple is used in the interior decoration of high-quality furniture. There is also decorative furniture finishing with maple veneer and imitation maple color for laminate and linoleum.

Diseases and pests

White maple greens are often affected by coral spotting. The leaves are covered with burgundy spots. It is better to immediately cut out and destroy diseased areas, and coat the cut areas with garden varnish. It is advisable to disinfect the tool before starting and after finishing work. To prevent fungal diseases, tree crowns need to be sprayed in the spring with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution.

Of the harmful insects, sycamore is afraid of maple weevils, whiteflies, and mealbugs . It is recommended to cut out and burn damaged leaves and shoots along with larvae. Sick trees must be sprayed with Ammophos, Karbofos, Nitrafen. To prevent infection by parasites, it is advisable to carry out treatment at the end of winter, before the buds open.

Combination of maple and bleached oak colors

This combination is based on thermal contrast. The color maple and the color bleached oak are the same in lightness, but one is warm and the other is cold. The play of warm and cold should be continued throughout the room's design. So, choose pale emerald wallpaper, diluted with cold and warm shades of beige. As well as upholstered furniture in light emerald color. To counterbalance the whole picture, add coral-colored accessories. Matte bronze will serve as fittings for bleached oak in this composition.

VIEW COMBINATIONS WITH SIMILAR SHADES (click on color)

Why is the false sycamore maple called sycamore?

According to the legends of the ancient Slavs, a person was turned or “sworn” into this tree. Therefore, maple is never used to heat a stove, nor is it used to make coffins, considering it a great sin to place living people in the ground.

A man turned into a sycamore because of a mother’s curse on her disobedient children. When the musicians pass by a maple tree, they cut it down and make a violin. Its sounds, in the voices of children, tell how their mother committed a crime in front of them.

The Serbs have a different belief. A dry maple tree will turn green if it is hugged by a person who has been wronged unfairly. And, conversely, a green maple will dry out if a deeply unhappy or offended person touches it.

Furniture color Maple in Moscow

An “Online consultant” is available on the seller’s website. To go to the site, click “Go to store”

“One-click ordering” is available on the seller’s website. To go to the site, click “Go to store”

An “Online consultant” is available on the seller’s website. To go to the site, click “Go to store”

“One-click ordering” is available on the seller’s website. To go to the site, click “Go to store”

An excerpt characterizing White Maple

“And I dare to report: a good deed, your Excellency.” “How easy he thinks it is,” thought Pierre. “He doesn’t know how scary it is, how dangerous it is.” Too early or too late... Scary! - How would you like to order? Would you like to go tomorrow? – Savelich asked. - No; I'll put it off a little. I'll tell you then. “Excuse me for the trouble,” said Pierre and, looking at Savelich’s smile, he thought: “How strange, however, that he does not know that now there is no Petersburg and that first of all it is necessary for this to be decided. However, he probably knows, but he’s only pretending. Talk to him? What does he think? - thought Pierre. “No, someday later.” At breakfast, Pierre told the princess that he had been to Princess Marya yesterday and found there - can you imagine who? - Natalie Rostov. The princess pretended that she did not see anything more extraordinary in this news than in the fact that Pierre had seen Anna Semyonovna. - Do you know her? – asked Pierre. “I saw the princess,” she answered. “I heard that they were marrying her to young Rostov.” This would be very good for the Rostovs; They say they are completely ruined. - No, do you know Rostov? “I only heard about this story then.” Very sorry. “No, she doesn’t understand or is pretending,” thought Pierre. “It’s better not to tell her either.” The princess also prepared provisions for Pierre's journey. “How kind they all are,” thought Pierre, “that now, when they probably couldn’t be more interested in this, they are doing all this. And everything for me; That’s what’s amazing.” On the same day, the police chief came to Pierre with a proposal to send a trustee to the Faceted Chamber to receive the things that were now being distributed to the owners. “This one too,” thought Pierre, looking into the police chief’s face, “what a nice, handsome officer and how kind!” Now he deals with such trifles. They also say that he is not honest and takes advantage of him. What nonsense! But why shouldn’t he use it? That's how he was raised. And everyone does it. And such a pleasant, kind face, and smiles, looking at me.” Pierre went to dinner with Princess Marya. Driving through the streets between the burned-out houses, he was amazed at the beauty of these ruins. The chimneys of houses and fallen walls, picturesquely reminiscent of the Rhine and the Colosseum, stretched, hiding each other, along the burnt blocks. The cab drivers and riders we met, the carpenters who cut the log houses, the traders and shopkeepers, all with cheerful, beaming faces, looked at Pierre and said as if: “Ah, here he is! Let's see what comes out of this." Upon entering the house of Princess Marya, Pierre was filled with doubt as to the justice of the fact that he was here yesterday, saw Natasha and spoke with her. “Maybe I made it up. Maybe I’ll walk in and not see anyone.” But before he had time to enter the room, in his entire being, after the instant deprivation of his freedom, he felt her presence. She was wearing the same black dress with soft folds and the same hairstyle as yesterday, but she was completely different. If she had been like this yesterday when he entered the room, he could not have failed to recognize her for a moment. She was the same as he had known her almost as a child and then as the bride of Prince Andrei. A cheerful, questioning gleam shone in her eyes; there was a gentle and strangely playful expression on her face. Pierre had dinner and would have sat there all evening; but Princess Marya was going to the all-night vigil, and Pierre left with them. The next day Pierre arrived early, had dinner and sat there all evening. Despite the fact that Princess Marya and Natasha were obviously pleased with the guest; despite the fact that the whole interest of Pierre’s life was now concentrated in this house, by the evening they had talked everything over, and the conversation constantly moved from one insignificant subject to another and was often interrupted. Pierre stayed up so late that evening that Princess Marya and Natasha looked at each other, obviously waiting to see if he would leave soon. Pierre saw this and could not leave. He felt heavy and awkward, but he kept sitting because he couldn’t get up and leave. Princess Marya, not foreseeing an end to this, was the first to get up and, complaining of a migraine, began to say goodbye. – So you’re going to St. Petersburg tomorrow? – said oka. “No, I’m not going,” Pierre said hastily, with surprise and as if offended. - No, to St. Petersburg? Tomorrow; I just don't say goodbye. “I’ll come for the commissions,” he said, standing in front of Princess Marya, blushing and not leaving. Natasha gave him her hand and left. Princess Marya, on the contrary, instead of leaving, sank into a chair and looked sternly and carefully at Pierre with her radiant, deep gaze. The fatigue she had obviously shown before was now completely gone. She took a deep, long breath, as if preparing for a long conversation. All of Pierre's embarrassment and awkwardness, when Natasha was removed, instantly disappeared and was replaced by excited animation. He quickly moved the chair very close to Princess Marya. “Yes, that’s what I wanted to tell you,” he said, answering her glance as if in words. - Princess, help me. What should I do? Can I hope? Princess, my friend, listen to me. I know everything. I know I'm not worthy of her; I know it's impossible to talk about it now. But I want to be her brother. No, I don’t want to... I can’t... He stopped and rubbed his face and eyes with his hands. “Well, here,” he continued, apparently making an effort on himself to speak coherently. “I don’t know since when I love her.” But I have loved only her, only one, all my life and love her so much that I cannot imagine life without her. Now I don’t dare ask for her hand; but the thought that maybe she could be mine and that I would miss this opportunity... opportunity... is terrible. Tell me, can I have hope? Tell me what should I do? “Dear princess,” he said, after being silent for a while and touching her hand, since she did not answer. “I’m thinking about what you told me,” answered Princess Marya. - I'll tell you what. You’re right, what should I tell her about love now... - The princess stopped. She wanted to say: it is now impossible to talk to her about love; but she stopped because for the third day she saw from Natasha’s sudden change that not only would Natasha not be offended if Pierre expressed his love to her, but that this was all she wanted. “It’s impossible to tell her now,” Princess Marya said. - But what should I do? “Entrust this to me,” said Princess Marya. “I know...” Pierre looked into Princess Marya’s eyes. “Well, well...” he said. “I know that she loves... will love you,” Princess Marya corrected herself. Before she had time to say these words, Pierre jumped up and, with a frightened face, grabbed Princess Marya by the hand. - Why do you think so? Do you think I can hope? You think?! “Yes, I think so,” said Princess Marya, smiling. - Write to your parents. And instruct me. I'll tell her when it's possible. I wish this. And my heart feels that this will happen. - No, this cannot be! How happy I am! But this cannot be... How happy I am! No, it can not be! - Pierre said, kissing the hands of Princess Marya. – You go to St. Petersburg; it is better. “And I’ll write to you,” she said. - To St. Petersburg? Drive? Okay, yes, let's go. But can I come to you tomorrow? The next day Pierre came to say goodbye. Natasha was less animated than in previous days; but on this day, sometimes looking into her eyes, Pierre felt that he was disappearing, that neither he nor she was there anymore, but there was only a feeling of happiness. “Really? No, it can’t be,” he said to himself with every look, gesture, and word that filled his soul with joy. When, saying goodbye to her, he took her thin, thin hand, he involuntarily held it in his a little longer. “Is this hand, this face, these eyes, all this alien treasure of feminine charm, will it all be forever mine, familiar, the same as I am to myself? No, this is impossible!..” “Goodbye, Count,” she told him loudly. “I’ll be waiting for you,” she added in a whisper. And these simple words, the look and facial expression that accompanied them, for two months formed the subject of Pierre’s inexhaustible memories, explanations and happy dreams. “I will be waiting for you very much... Yes, yes, as she said? Yes, I will be waiting for you very much. Oh, how happy I am! What is this, how happy I am!” - Pierre said to himself. Nothing now happened in Pierre's soul that was similar to what happened in it in similar circumstances during his matchmaking with Helen.