Sycamore trees are often derided but they stand out as one of the best trees for lichens.
Most Sycamore trees in a woodland situation are unfortunately being attacked by grey squirrels.
They strip the bark and kill branches and leader stems,
which is why there aren't as many seedlings as there used to be.
The bark is more alkaline than many other native trees and at this time of year,
from a distance, they can have the appearance of cherry blossom.
The lichens on Sycamores are getting more noticeable each year. They must lock in carbon to a significant amount. Also the lichens absorb a lot of water, so could have a positive effect regarding flooding.
ReplyDeleteSycamores also have lots of ferns growing on them, often high in the branches (Polypody ferns) and these also must be carbon fixers and rain absorbers.
The earliest arriving woodland migrant birds, Chiff-chaffs and Willow Warblers, depend on the early-leafing Sycamores on which to search for tiny insects, so all-in-all I think it is a pretty important tree locally.
We are told it isn't native, but it has been a part of our eco-system so long it should be regarded as a beneficial native.