American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis 
Sycamore is one of the largest eastern hardwoods. It is tolerant of wet soil conditions and is found in rich river bottoms. Sycamore can be used to stabilize streambanks along with other bottomland species, where it provides nest sites for large birds such as bald eagles and great blue herons. It is also a pioneer species in old fields.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 90 ft
- Spread
- 90 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, simple, 4" - 8" in diameter with 3-5 main lobes; edges coarsely toothed, yellow-green above, paler below
- Flowers
- tiny; greenish, in 1-2 ball-like drooping clusters
- Fruit
- many seeded ball 1" - 1 l/2" in diameter on a stem 3" - 6" long; each seed attached to a hairy plume
- Bark
- distinctive smooth whitish and mottled bark on upper trunk and branches; lower bark thin, dark brown, scaly
- Associated species:
- cottonwood, sweetgum, river birch, silver maple, green ash, pin oak
- Ideal site conditions
- wet soil, partial sun
- Value to man
- landscaping, wood products, erosion
- Value to wildlife
- dens, cover
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
