Maple vs. Sycamore — What's the Difference?

A tree genus known for its hardwood and sweet sap.

A large tree known for its extensive canopy and peeling bark.

The wood obtained from maple trees, valued in woodworking.

Associated with ancient and mythological symbolism.

The sap of certain maple species, used to produce maple syrup.

A tree that is often found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

A shade of reddish-brown, inspired by maple wood.

Recognizable by its mottled bark that peels away in patches.

A symbol of Canada, represented on the flag.

The wood obtained from sycamore trees, used in various applications.

Acer is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as maples. The genus is placed in the family Sapindaceae.

Sycamore is a name which has been applied to several types of trees, but with somewhat similar leaf forms. The name derives from the ancient Greek συκόμορος (sūkomoros) meaning "fig-mulberry".

Any of various chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs of the genus Acer of the Northern Hemisphere, having opposite, usually palmate leaves and fruits consisting of paired seeds attached to long wings.

Any of various deciduous trees of the genus Platanus, especially P. occidentalis of eastern North America, having palmately lobed leaves, ball-like, nodding, hairy fruit clusters, and bark that flakes off in large pieces. Also called buttonball, buttonwood.

The wood of any of these trees, especially the hard, close-grained wood of the sugar maple, often used for furniture and flooring.

A Eurasian deciduous maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) having palmately lobed leaves, winged fruits, and greenish flowers.

The flavor of the concentrated sap of the sugar maple.

A fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and adjacent southwest Asia, mentioned in the Bible, having clusters of figs borne on short leafless twigs.

A tree of the genus Acer, characterised by its usually palmate leaves and winged seeds.

(US) Any of several North American plane trees, of the genus Platanus, especially Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore), distinguished by its mottled bark which flakes off in large irregular masses.

The wood of such a tree, prized for its hardness and attractive appearance

(British) A large British and European species of maple, Acer pseudoplatanus, known in North America as the sycamore maple.

A tree of the genus Acer, including about fifty species. Acer saccharinum is the rock maple, or sugar maple, from the sap of which sugar is made, in the United States, in great quantities, by evaporation; the red maple or swamp maple is Acer rubrum; the silver maple, Acer dasycarpum, having fruit wooly when young; the striped maple, Acer Pennsylvanium, called also moosewood. The common maple of Europe is Acer campestre, the sycamore maple is Acer Pseudo-platanus, and the Norway maple is Acer platanoides.

(originally) A large tree bearing edible fruit, Ficus sycomorus, allied to the common fig, found in Egypt and Syria.

Wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

A large tree (Ficus Sycomorus) allied to the common fig. It is found in Egypt and Syria, and is the sycamore, or sycamine, of Scripture.

Any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Acer bearing winged seeds in pairs; north temperate zone

Variably colored and sometimes variegated hard tough elastic wood of a sycamore tree

Any of several trees of the genus Platanus having thin pale bark that scales off in small plates and lobed leaves and ball-shaped heads of fruits

Eurasian maple tree with pale gray bark that peels in flakes like that of a sycamore tree; leaves with five ovate lobes yellow in autumn

Thick-branched wide-spreading tree of Africa and adjacent southwestern Asia often buttressed with branches rising from near the ground; produces cluster of edible but inferior figs on short leafless twigs; the Biblical sycamore

Maples turn red due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and the presence of anthocyanins.

Yes, maple wood is generally considered more valuable due to its versatility and durability.

No, sycamore trees do not produce sap suitable for syrup production like maples.

Not all, but certain species like the sugar maple are tapped for syrup production.

Yes, maple leaves typically have distinct lobes, while sycamore leaves are broader with a rough texture.

The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada, representing its nature and history.

Sycamore bark is mottled and peels away in patches.

Sycamores require ample space to accommodate their large size and root system.

For its vibrant fall color, smaller size, and the possibility of syrup production.

Maple wood is used in furniture, flooring, and musical instruments.

Maples are better suited for urban and residential areas, while sycamores thrive in parks and wide-open spaces.

They offer significant canopy cover, improving air quality and providing shade.

They provide habitat and food for various species through their seeds and shelter.

Both can live for hundreds of years, with sycamores often living longer in ideal conditions.

Its large size and expansive root system can interfere with structures and pavements.