Acer pseudoplatanus 'Simon Louis Freres'

Frequently asked questions

What can I do about sycamore seedlings from my neighbours tree?

Sycamore trees self-seed readily, and can shed masses of seeds each year. If a sycamore tree is groiwng in a neighbouring garden then these seeds can land in your garden and may germinate in your lawn and borders. Once growth has become woody, sycamore trees are hard to remove so you must be vigilant and catch the seedlings when they're young or even before they germinate.

Check your lawn and borders regularly from mid-summer to spring and clear up any seeds before they germinte. Sycamore seedlings can be easily pulled out of the soil or simply mow the lawn to kill them off – they won't grow back. Larger saplings will need to be dug out of the soil, with their rootball intact.

How can I deal with a sycamore stump?

If you have felled a sycamore tree and need to remove its stump, the best way to do this is by digging it out manually. This can be back-breaking work but you can hire a mini-excavator to give you a helping hand – both methods will remove most of the sycamore root system.  

Alternatively, a stump grinder can be used to grind the main root into fine sawdust. Although stump grinders can be hired, we recommmend you employ a professional as they are potentially hazardous to use. Some roots will be left in the ground but they should gradually rot down.

Stump and root killers are essentially high concentrations of weedkiller. They usually involve drilling large holes into the stump and then pushing the stump killer into the holes to kill the stump from the inside. The best time to do this is from autumn to winter. You can also apply a standard weedkiller, such as glyphosate, directly to the stump, applying it to the outer ring of the tree just beneath the bark, where there is living tissue. Bear in mind that glyphosate is considered a 'possible carcinogen' and that using such chemicals in the garden could have an adverse effect on organisms such as earthworms and those that eat them. Avoid spilling any product on the ground and cover the stump securely with plastic sheeting to keep rain off the area.