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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Acer pseudoplatanus Trade Name Sycamore plane Family Name Aceraceae Common Names Buttonwood, English harewood, English maple, European maple, Gray harewood, Great maple, Harewood, Maple, Plane, Plane tree, Planetree, Sycamore, Sycamore plane Regions of Distribution Africa, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] United Kingdom Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Interior construction, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Musical instruments , Musical instruments: strings, Office furniture, Organ pipes, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piano keys, Pianos , Plywood corestock, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Shade rollers, Shipbuilding, Shuttles, Sounding boards, Spindles, Spools, Sub-flooring, Tables, Textile equipment, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Status unknown in many of its growth areas Distribution Overview Sycampore plane grows in northern Europe and western Asia. It is also planted in Great Britain and the U.S. The tree can be found in seashore gardens due to its high tolerance to salt spray, as well as along roadsides and in hedgerows. It is a resilient, hardy tree, tolerating many kinds of soils. Heartwood Color Yellow White Orange Brown Red Green/grey Yellowish white Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Pale brown White to cream Greenish to greyish Lustrous almost to the point of being iridescent, darkening upon exposure to a light golden brown color. The original white color of the wood is second only to holly wood. Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Color not distinct from heartwood Whitish White to yellow Cream Grain Figure Straight Wavy Variable (figure) Distinct (figure) Even Closed Other (figure) Mottled (figure) Stripe (figure) Fiddleback (figure) Straight May be wavy or curly Variable figure Distinct figure Figure in generally fine Striped figure Other figure Mottled figure Lacy figure Fiddleback figure Curly or wavy grain can produce beautiful fiddleback or lacy figures. Texture Fine Even or uniform Uniform Fine Even textured Luster Medium High Lustrous Pronounced Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Sapwood not resistant to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Perishable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack and tends to decay rapidly Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Decay's readily Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Lighter Darker Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Discoloration Checking Splitting Resin Exudation Internal Honeycombing Possible Ring Shakes Uneven Moisture Content Water pockets Staining Slight surface checking Slight end splitting Ring failure Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Honeycombing possible Expect resin/gum exudation Discoloration Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Gum Exudation Slowly Moderately Difficult to Difficult Little degrade Easy Stains easily Air-dries rather well Individual boards should be separated from each other. Kiln drying recommended immediately after cutting to prevent discoloration and staining. Slow kiln drying will produce a pink-brown weathered color, called Weathered sycamore Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries at a moderate speed Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Boles are usually straight and clear to heights of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 m). Product Sources Most of the lumber on the market originates from Great Britain. Supplies from outside Europe are rather scarce and expensive, but some lumber may be available from some of the more prominent importers. The wood is sometimes sold on the market as Harewood, which is Sycamore plane dyed a silver-grey color. The dye is forced into the wood under hydraulic pressure. Substitutes Avodire (Turraeanthus africana ) Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Very good to excellent results Wood can burn readily if tools are dull Excellent results Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Moderate to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is moderate Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to glue Very good properties Moderate gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderately easy to mortise Good mortising properties Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moulding ease is moderate Good moulding properties Sharp cutting edges should be used to prevent burning. Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Medium Stable Small Retains shape well after manufacture Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Very good nailing properties Possible if prebored Holds nails well Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planes well, to a good finish Moderately easy to plane Easy to plane Straight-Grained wood can be planed easily. Curly or wavy-grained wood may require sharp cutting edges and reduced cutting angles to prevent pick-up. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Easily treated with chemicals Usually exploited in the production Harewood. Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Satisfactorily Difficult to machine Sanding Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good sanding properties Good sanding finish Screwing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Easy to turn Good results Sharp cutting edges are recommended since the wood is reported to burn rather readily when worked with dull tools. Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers moderately easy Veneers easily Suitable for slicing Difficult to veneer Moderately easy to veneer There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Good gluing qualities Fiddleback Curly and wavy grain sometimes found in the wood yield highly decorative veneers Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Very good Good Painting Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally good Stains very well Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = high Shrinkage, Radial = very small Resists denting and marring Hardness = medium Density = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9262 14224 psi Density 37 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1052 lbs Impact Strength 28 32 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3913 6619 psi Shearing Strength 2216 psi Stiffness 1258 1438 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 13 15 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.49 Weight 37 35 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 651 1000 kg/cm2 Density 592 kg/m3 Hardness 477 kg Impact Strength 71 81 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 275 465 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 155 kg/cm2 Stiffness 88 101 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.91 1.05 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.49 Weight 592 560 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Findlay, W.P.K.,1938,The Natural Resistance to Decay of some Empire Timbers,Empire Forestry Journal,17,pp249 - 259 Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough< Aylesbury, Buck. HMSO. 1985. Broadleaves. Forestry Commission Bulletin No. 20. Text by H.E. Edlin. Revised by A.F. Mitchell. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio. Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: English Harewood -The White Wood that is Perfect for Stains or Dyes. Wood & Wood Products, August, 1990. Page 60. Kline, M. 1980. Acer pseudoplatanus - Sycamore maple. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 17-18. Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Laidlaw, W.B.R. 1960. Guide to British Hardwoods. Published by Leonard Hill [Books] Limited, 9 Eden Street, N.W.1, London. Lauricio, F.M., Bellosillo, S.B.,1966,Fifth Progress Report on the Mechanical and Related Properties of,Philippine woods,Philippine Lumberman,12(5,p66 Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Tamolang, F.N., Martawijaya, A., Kartasujana, I., Kadir, K., Parwira, S.,1992,Indonesian Wood Atlas Volume II,Department of Forestry, Agency for Forestry Research and Development,,Bogor-Indonesia Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H. 1965. Commercial Timbers of the World. 3rd Edition (Enlarged of A Concise Encyclopedia of World Timbers). The Technical Press Ltd., London. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London