American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Platanaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Wild type Platanus occidentalis)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, exhibiting strong adaptability to a wide range of temperatures and climates.
About This Tree
A massive deciduous tree with a heavy, spreading crown, irregular and open branching, and a thick trunk. Known for its rapid growth rate, broad canopy providing heavy shade, and uniquely mottled, exfoliating bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, heavily lobed resembling maple leaves with 3 to 5 pointed lobes, 4 to 10 inches wide, coarsely toothed margins, medium green in summer turning yellowish-brown in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive multicolored bark that peels off in large irregular flakes or patches, revealing smooth white, light gray, green, and brown inner bark, especially prominent on the upper trunk and branches.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, widely adapted to riparian zones and urban landscapes throughout the temperate regions of the continent.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring with bright green foliage, produces inconspicuous flowers followed by spherical fruit balls in autumn, drops leaves in late autumn, and remains dormant through winter. Best planted in early spring or autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun, high water requirements when young, highly adaptable to moist soils and occasional flooding, but demonstrates moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 75 to 100 feet, with an equal or greater spread. Fast growth rate, capable of living for several hundred years with a massive trunk diameter.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional urban pollution tolerance, distinctive ornamental exfoliating bark, high timber value for veneer and boxes, and susceptibility to sycamore anthracnose in damp spring weather.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for large birds such as hawks and owls. Seeds are consumed by finches and other small mammals. The hollows of older trees frequently serve as habitats for cavity-nesting wildlife.