Sycamore

The Sycamore tree is native to central and southern Europe and was introduced to Britain about four hundred years ago. As a robust and highly–reproductive tree it has become widespread in Britain too. If allowed to, it becomes a hundred feet (thirty-five metres) high with a good clean butt or trunk enabling nice clean wide and long boards.

Sycamore is a Maple and so appearance is fairly similar to the Canadian or Rock Maple. But Sycamore has a character of its own. It is not quite so hard and the texture is a little more open. Also annual growth is marked by a fine line. The creamy-white lustrous colour is sometimes varied by some areas of green or brown giving it a special character. Occasionally there can be some very attractive ripple-grain or fiddle-back figure which is much sought after.

Drying needs care as stick-stains can easily occur. The traditional method was to stack boards upright with no contact. When dry it is stable and as strong as oak. Straight-grained timber machines well, working rather like beech, to a nice smooth surface. Ripple-grain and wild-grain need care to avoid picking up.

Sycamore is a very attractive wood for furniture, panelling, kitchens and turnery. Its resilient nature (like the tree!) makes fore a heard-wearing wood suitable for rolling pins, breadboards, tabletops and especially for attractive domestic flooring.

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