Tree Flower - Sycamore

SYCAMORE (Acer pseudoplatanus)

Key: Lightening up

The sycamore, great maple or great plane, is the largest of the maple family. It is native to the mountain chains of Europe where it grows in rich, damp soil singly or in groups. The date of its introduction to Britain is not known though sycamore is first mentioned in 1551. Sycamore is a fast growing tree that spreads rapidly tending to shade out other plants. It is a huge, spreading deciduous tree with a dense, domed crown of large, five lobed leaves that are dark green with a paler underside. It is hardy to pollution and salt-laden air and can live for around 500 years.  The wood is white-yellow and easy to work but strong and hard. The flowers appear in long grape-like racemes of bright green just after the leaves in April, later forming the characteristic winged seeds. This large tree rarely grows over 100ft (30m), but develops huge trunks with pinkish brown bark that peels in irregular strips. Because of their size, fast growth and hardiness sycamores are important shelterbelt trees particularly in northern Britain.

The essence of sycamore deals with the powerful combination of sweetness and strength. On a physical level it can help with the assimilation of nutrients through the actions of the pancreas and small intestine. There can also be some beneficial strengthening of the legs. As with other maples there is a better regulation of energy levels to make the most of available resources, so sycamore can be of use where there is chronic tiredness or lethargy.

There is an increase in the awareness of the sweetness of life, which encourages further growth and fulfilment. All the meridians are strengthened, but particularly the Bladder meridian, encouraging the positive emotional states of peace, harmony, balance and the resolution of conflicts. The Circulation-Sex meridian also brings the ability to relax, to become more generous and giving and to be able to let go of past issues and events rather than hanging onto them and basing the present moment on past attitudes and outcomes.

The throat, brow and crown chakras are activated. These centres will bring a broader view, clearer insight and a greater ability to make changes that matter. There is thus an overall increase in empowering information and understanding.

A minor chakra located near the pancreas is also affected that not only helps to balance the physical functions of that organ but also creates a greater emotional stability by inducing calm.

All the subtle bodies are brought into a better alignment with each other, but sycamore particularly focuses on the mental and spiritual bodies. In this way the physical and emotional results (the relaxation and greater enjoyment of life), can be understood to arise from a shift of understanding, a more positive appreciation of experience that derives from the mental bodies. These bodies hold the belief structures and ideas of what our personal status and reality is.

Greater acceptance, tolerance and understanding occurs in emotional and mental states. Once this release and relaxation begins it is easier to experience the main energy of the sycamore spirit, which is the activation of the potential to communicate healing energy and to know that one is sustained and protected by the deepest universal levels of love and understanding.

Comment: Many people consider sycamore to be little more than a weed, crowding out other, more appropriate “native” trees. It is true that sycamore has few niches for other species, yet its fast growth and excellent wood, not to mention the wonderful biomass, would make it a fine forest timber tree for hardwood. Its no good just moaning about its tenacious success: looking at sycamore from a positive angle it could at least provide many resources efficiently and quickly. And it’s a great climbing tree!