American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Platanaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, showing high adaptability to varying temperate climates.
About This Tree
A massive, fast-growing deciduous tree with a wide, spreading, irregular crown and massive crooked branches. Known for its distinct camouflage-like exfoliating bark that peels off in large irregular sheets, revealing smooth white, grey, and green inner bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, broadly ovate to palmately 3 to 5 lobed, measuring 4 to 10 inches across with coarse teeth along the margins. Bright green in summer, turning dull yellowish-brown in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, whitish to light grey or greenish upper trunk and branches that exfoliate (peel away) in thin plates. The lower trunk becomes darker, thick, scaly, and deeply furrowed with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and central North America, extending from Ontario down to Florida and west to the Great Plains.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces inconspicuous flowers in April or May, followed by spherical seed balls maturing in autumn, dropping leaves in late autumn and entering winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth. Prefers moist, deep, rich alluvial soils and regular watering, but exhibits good tolerance for occasional flooding and moderate drought once established.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height of 75 to 100 feet with an equally wide or wider spread, featuring a massive trunk that can exceed 3 to 8 feet in diameter. Moderate to fast growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to urban pollution, soil compaction, and heavy pruning. Highly distinctive exfoliating multi-colored bark provides year-round ornamental value. Wood is heavy and hard, often used for butcher blocks, furniture, and veneer.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for numerous bird species including cavity nesters. The seeds are consumed by finches and other small birds, while the bark and foliage support various native insects and mammals.