Long leaves spread evenly around each leader, but it's the bright red leaf stalks that make it stand out from the crowd.

Things to look for include brown or black leaf stalks, discolouration of healthy olive green bark to purple and brown, and diamondshaped lesions on branches.

The leaf stalks are red, as are the tips of the propellor-like seeds that are now developing.

Sycamores are looking colourful, with red leaf stalks, and bunches of winged seeds that on most trees are now pink and green.

Females predominate on the leaf stalks and fruit while males predominate on the leaves.