A tale of trees and martyrs.

The sycamore tree Acer pseudoplatanus flowers in April or early May, shortly after the leaves appear. We have two trees, planted at the same time within a few yards of each other; one always flowers in April, this one always in May.

The sycamore is native to central and southern Europe and was probably introduced to Britain in the 15th or 16th Century. Although not a native species, the sycamore is widespread and popular in Britain and features in many local cultures. In Wales, clogs and love-spoons are fashioned from sycamore wood, harvest cakes were baked upon sycamore leaves in the West-country, and sycamores are one of the first trees children learn to recognise, as they play with their 'helicopter' seeds.

There are many 'special', iconic sycamores around the country, most notably the Martyrs' Tree on Tolpuddle Green in Dorset. In 1834, the Tolpuddle Martyrs formed the first agricultural trade union, at a meeting held beneath the ancient tree, which had first seen the light of day in the 1680s. Six of the leaders were convicted of swearing a secret oath as members of the Friendly Society of Agricultural labourers and were deported to Australia for 7 years for their trouble. The tree still survives.