American Sycamore

American Sycamore

American Plane-tree, Buttonwood, Buttonball-tree, Water-beech

Platanus occidentalis L.

Whole plant

Family : Platanaceae

Longevity : Perennial

Origin : Native

Season : Warm

American Sycamore grows in rich bottomland soils along streams in the Edwards Plateau and the South Texas Plains. It is a large tree growing to a height of 170 feet. The trunk has reddish brown bark that falls off in pieces to expose a smooth, white bark underneath. The leaves have a toothed margin and are approximately 4 to 12 inches wide. The flowers are found on heads in the shape of a ball, with male flowers on separate heads than female flowers. American Sycamore blooms from April to May. The light brown fruit is ripe in September and October and is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The Sycamore tree is the largest of any deciduous tree in North America and is planted as an ornamental. It is a slow growing tree, but it is also a long-lived tree. The wood is used for butcher blocks, tobacco boxes, furniture and crates. The seeds are eaten by a number of different birds.

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