Distribution
Afghanistan, Argentina (introduced), Australia (introduced), Austria, Belarus (introduced), Belgium (introduced), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria (introduced), Canada (introduced), Chile (introduced), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (introduced), Estonia (introduced), Faroe Islands (introduced), Finland (introduced), France, Germany, Gibraltar (introduced), Greece, Hungary, Iceland (introduced), India (introduced), Ireland (introduced), Italy, Latvia (introduced), Liechtenstein (introduced), Lithuania (introduced), Luxembourg (introduced), Malta (introduced), Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands (introduced), New Zealand (introduced), North Macedonia, Norway (introduced), Poland, Portugal (introduced), Romania, Russia (introduced), San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden (introduced), Switzerland, Syria (introduced), Turkey (introduced), Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (introduced), United States of America (introduced)

The native distribution of A. pseudoplatanus is wide, encompassing most of central and southern Europe between 51°N and 35°N. Native range areas include Germany (Harz Mountains), Russia (Caucasus), Spain (Pyrenees), southern and central France, the Swiss Alps, Italy, Bosnia, northern Greece and the Carpathian mountains in Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. It is not native to the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, northwest France, northern Germany and Scandinavia. All specimens of A. pseudoplatanus recorded from eastern Anatolia, Turkey have proved to be A. heldreichii subsp. trautvetteri. An incorrect record for Tanzania in a previous edition has been deleted.

Acer pseudoplatanus is a large tree with a straight trunk and erect branches forming a spreading, often irregular crown commonly broader than tall, with massive low branches. On more suitable sites the crown may be very tall and less broad. Average height when mature is 30-35 m, although it may exceed 40 m; average dbh at maturity is 60-80 cm, although it may exceed 150 cm. The stem is straight and cylindrical. The root system is much-branched, providing stability for the tree in high winds, and Kostler et al. (1968) found that deep roots penetrated to approximately 1.4 m depth, whilst the radial extent exceeded 9 m. Bark is grey, smooth in young trees; mature boles having pale orange-brown or pinkish-orange bark, broken into long scales which come away. Shoots are greenish-grey-brown, striated lengthwise with pale lenticels. Buds 8-10 mm, ovoid, with a few green scales, margin reddish, open with basal scales red and decurved. Leaves are simple, opposite, deciduous, with five unequally toothed pointed lobes at acute angles, nerves often pubescent, bases cordate, margins denticulate. They are dark green on top and glaucescent on the underside in young trees but yellowish on pink petioles in old trees. There is rarely any worthwhile colour in the autumn, but foliage may occasionally turn bright yellow. The leaves vary greatly in size and depth of lobe with tree age and shoot vigour. They are always borne on a long petiole, which does not emit milky sap when broken. Leaves open early, especially in shade, and lammas growth in July may emerge bright pink. Flowers are in terminal, hanging racemes 6-12 cm long, open mid-April and attracting hordes of bees. Each flower is monoecious, 4-6 mm pale green or yellowish, thin looking as petals are very short; stamens whitish, anthers bright yellow. Flowering occurs when the leaves are newly expanded. Fruits are di-samaras 5 cm long with wings set in a 'V' at about 90°; in clusters on short green stalks and appear abundantly when the tree is at least 20 years old.