Tree Leaf IdentifierMaple vs Sycamore Leaves: Which Tree Is It?
The name sycamore depends on location. In Britain it usually means Acer pseudoplatanus, which is itself a maple. In North America it often means Platanus occidentalis, the American sycamore. Use the scientific name before comparing leaves.
| Feature | Maples, including UK sycamore | American sycamore |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific genus | Acer | Platanus |
| Twig arrangement | Opposite leaf pairs | Alternate leaves |
| Fruit | Paired winged seeds | Round hanging fruit heads |
| Leaf clue | Often palmately lobed | Broad leaf with several lobes |
Inspect a twig, not just a fallen leaf
Opposite leaves attach across from one another; alternate leaves attach one at a time along the twig. Check several nodes because missing leaves can hide the pattern. This is a more useful starting point than autumn color.
Look for attached fruit
Paired winged seeds point toward a maple. A hanging spherical fruit head points toward a plane tree such as American sycamore. The broad lobed leaves can look similar, so bring both photographs to the comparison.
Read the photo labels carefully
The photographs here show Japanese maple and UK sycamore maple. Both belong to Acer. They illustrate variation within maples, rather than a photograph of American sycamore. Follow the American sycamore reference for that species.
Related species
Compare leaf features
Sources and further reading
- NC State Extension: Japanese maple
- NC State Extension: sycamore maple
- NC State Extension: American sycamore
Prepared by Tree Leaf Identifier. Updated October 3, 2026. Editorial approach.
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