NAME:
COMMON – American Sycamore (also known as American Plane Tree, Buttonball Tree)
BOTANICAL – Platanus occidentalis
FAMILY – Platanaceae (also listed as Acanthaceae)

DERIVATION:
Native to the eastern United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario. USDA Zones 5a-9a.

GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:
This deciduous tree is second in height only to the Tulip Poplar and can reach over 150 ft tall. Sycamore is also a long-lived tree, surviving at least 200 years and some examples possibly as long as 500-600 years.

GROWTH LOCATION:
It is widely planted in various soil types and sunlight. In the wild, it grows in moist areas. It is not suitable as a street tree due to its size and massive roots.

ATTRIBUTES, VALUE, UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:
Striking large specimen tree with white branches, glossy green leaves, and a woody seed ball that hangs on into early winter. The lower parts of the tree are a mottled canvas of white, taupe, brown, and cream. The fall color is not noteworthy. Sycamore trees are not plagued by urban tree diseases.

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