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Lytle, Melody
Platanus occidentalis L.
American sycamore, Buttonwood, Plane-tree, Sycamore
USDA Symbol: PLOC
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
The American sycamore is a wide-canopied, deciduous tree, 75-100 ft. tall, with a massive trunk and open crown of huge, crooked branches. The bark of large, old trunks sloughs off in scales or plates leaving a smooth, whitish inner bark. Leaves broadly ovate or broader, blade often wider than long, long pointed. Globular fruits often persist through December. Large, medium- to dark-green, maple-shaped leaves turn brown in fall.
A shade tree, Sycamore grows to a larger trunk diameter than any other native hardwood. The present champions trunk is about 11 feet (3.4 m) in diameter; an earlier giants was nearly 15 feet (4.6 m). The hollow trunks of old, giant trees were homes for chimney swifts in earlier times.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Retention: Deciduous Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Fruit Type: Achene Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Orange, Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON Native Distribution: S. ME to s. Ont., c. IA, e. NE & e. KS, s. to FL Panhandle & e. TX
Native Habitat: Low, moist woods; floodplains; rich bottomlands
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, sandy loams or silty clays.
texas comments: American sycamore is a good
tree for difficult growing sites. It is drought tolerant and grows quickly. The most striking feature of this
tree is its
bark, often referred to as camouflage
bark that readily exfoliates.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Shade
tree Use Food: The
sap of Platanus species makes a pleasant drink. It can be boiled down into syrup, but the sugar content of the
sap is low, and the sap/syrup ratio is higher than for other syrup-producing trees. (Athenic)
Use Other: The wood is used for furniture parts, millwork, flooring, and specialty products such as butcher blocks, as well as pulpwood, particleboard, and fiberboard.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Seeds which over-winter on
tree and are planted in spring will germinate promptly. Stored seeds must be stratified. Seedlings are susceptible to damping-off. Sycamores are also grown from cuttings, usually to select for the whitest bark.
Seed Collection: Fruit is most easily collected after leaf drop. Dry heads, then place in bags and crush to separate achene. Store over winter in cool, well-ventilated area in mesh bags.
Seed Treatment: Stratified stored seeds for 30 days at 41 degrees before planting.
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: I live in Ponder, Tx. We have some acreage and horses and wish to plant trees to afford some shade for the horses. Can you tell me what trees are toxic to horses.
click here to view the full question and answer
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-09-28
Research By: NPC
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