Acer pseudoplatanus, known commonly as the sycamore. Its one of my all time favourite trees due to the winged samaras, and is in the soapberry and lychee family Sapindaceae. It is a large, deciduous, and broad-leaved tree. Tolerant of wind and coastal exposure and native to Central Europe and Western Asia. In Britain however it is a naturalised species, though to be introduced by the Romans, or in the 1500s. In Wales, sycamore trees are used in the traditional craft of making 'love spoons', which are decoratively carved wooden spoons given as a romantic gesture.