DICK WARNER: Sycamores are not a native tree

THE sycamores have come into flower. Dangling yellow tassels high up in branches that are still bare of any leaves.

Over the course of the summer, if we get a summer, they will ripen into samaras, two-winged aircraft that will carry a cargo of seed to spread baby sycamores far and wide. That’s why some people dislike this wonderful tree. It’s just too efficient at propagating itself and ends up being regarded as a weed.

This wasn’t always the case. Writing in 1597 Gerard the herbalist says it is “a stranger to England and only found in the walks and places of pleasure of noblemen”. However, it seems to have arrived in Ireland shortly afterwards as the first definite record we have of them being planted in this country is from Co Derry in 1610.