 The sycamore is noted for its tolerance of wind , urban pollution , salt spray , and low summer temperatures , which makes it a popular tree for planting in cities , along roads treated with salt in winter , and in coastal localities . It is cultivated and widely naturalised north of its native range in Northern Europe , notably in the British Isles and Scandinavia north to Tromsø , Norway ( seeds can ripen as far north as Vesterålen ) ; Reykjavík , Iceland ; and Tórshavn on the Faroe Islands . It now occurs throughout the British Isles , having been introduced in the 16th century . 
