Aceracea (Maples)

The Maple family comprises of about 100 species of trees and shrubs. Leaves are opposite, nearly always lobed and sometimes divided into leaflets. Flowers are small and the seeds are winged in two halves. These trees produce beautiful autumn colours.

Common and useful species to us are:

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Light and hard. Great for carving utensils such as spoons, spatulas and chopping boards. The wood doesn’t taint food. Also good for friction fire-lighting.