#600 Platanus occidentalis Common Names: sycamore, American sycamore, buttonwood, American planetree Family: Platanaceae (sycamore Family) Get link to this Profile or click for Datasheet

This American sycamore makes its home on the banks of the Ohio River where they can grow to more than 100 ft (30.5 m) in height.

London planetree (Platanus X acerfolia), a popular street tree throughout the world, is a hybrid between the American sycamore and the oriental planetree (P. orientalis).

Location
American sycamore occurs in rich woods and floodplain forests in eastern North America from Maine to Iowa, south to northern Florida and Texas, and in the mountains of eastern Mexico. Sycamore usually grows along streams, sometimes in groves, but more often in association with other bottomland hardwoods such as red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua, river birch, cottonwood and willows.

Culture
Light: Full sun or light shade.
Moisture: Needs considerable soil moisture. Does best in rich, deep, well drained soils, but is tolerant of wet, poorly drained soils.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 - 9.
Propagation: By seed or by hardwood cuttings taken in winter.

The brilliant white bark of that same American sycamore is on display once the leaves are shed and create a striking wintertime display.

Features
The largest hardwood tree in the US is an American sycamore growing in Jeromesville, Ohio that has a trunk over 15 ft (38.1 cm) in diameter! Sycamore is fast growing and can reach 80 ft (24.4 m) in height in 20 years or less. This is a great tree for climbing. Really big ones are sometimes hollow and used by bears for winter dens. The unique seed balls are used in decorative winter arrangements. Native Americans of at least 7 different tribes used infusions of sycamore inner bark for so many ailments that one has to suspect genuine effectiveness.

WARNING
The tiny hairs on the fruit clusters can irritate the skin and, if inhaled, the respiratory passage. The chaff and dust generated during processing of fruits to extract the seeds is dangerous, and people who do this must wear protective masks. Sometimes the growing roots can clog sewers and damage sidewalks, and fallen leaves can clog drains. American sycamore is a fast growing tree. Don't plant it too close to buildings and utility lines!

Steve Christman 11/20/99; updated 5/14/04

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