{"slug":"platanus-racemosa","scientific_name":"Platanus racemosa","common_names":["California sycamore","Western sycamore","Aliso"],"family":"Platanaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":22,"mature_spread_m":15,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":[7,10],"sun":"full","water":"medium","soil":"Deep sandy or clay soils of floodplains and stream banks; needs groundwater or regular irrigation","native_range":"California and Baja California along streams, canyons and floodplains from Tehama and Humboldt counties south to San Diego County.","description":"A big, fast riparian tree, often with several leaning trunks, mottled white, tan and gray bark, large maple-like leaves and hanging strings of bristly seed balls. Leaves turn gold to orange-red and drop in fall. It is widely planted in parks and gardens for its sculptural trunks and summer shade; anthracnose twists new growth in cool wet springs, and its roots, big leaves and fuzzy fruit make it a messy tree near pavement. Its pollen is allergenic.","care":"Give it full sun and regular deep watering until established, then about monthly in summer unless it has access to a water table. Prune in winter to develop a strong structure; multi-trunk training is traditional. Anthracnose and the invasive shot hole borer with Fusarium dieback are the main threats; rake and remove infected leaves.","benefits":["shade","fast_canopy","wildlife","birds","pollinators","flood_tolerant","erosion_control"],"uses":["riparian","parks","yard_shade"],"cautions":["heavy_litter","large_roots","allergenic_pollen","pest_prone"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Platanus_racemosa_Santa_Barbara.jpg","image_credit":"Awinch1001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PLRA","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platanus_racemosa","https://calscape.org/plant/Platanus-racemosa","https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/platanus-racemosa"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/platanus-racemosa","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/platanus-racemosa.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Native to California riparian areas (and Baja California).","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PLRA"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Los Angeles","status":"recommended","note":"On the City Plants (Los Angeles) Street Tree Species List","source_url":"https://www.cityplants.org/street-tree-species-list/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Sacramento","status":"recommended","note":"On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees list","source_url":"https://sactree.org/best-trees-for-sacramento/"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}