Manor owner Peter de Sausmarez thought the tree, described in the horticulture trade as ‘most elegant’ had been planted in about 1920 by his ancestor Sir Havilland.
‘He was seigneur at the time and he was very keen on exotic and rare plants,’ he said.
It had probably been bought from horticulturalist Harold Hillier’s arboretum in Hampshire, he said.
While sycamores are well known for their ‘helicopter’ seeds helping the tree spread, Mr de Sausmarez said the golden variety did not put out seeds which means that this one was a one-of-a-kind on his land.
However, he was now looking to take cuttings and to replant the tree, as well as nurture some to a stage where they could be sold.
