TreeRM

American sycamore

Platanus occidentalis 路 Platanaceae 路 also Sycamore, American plane tree, Buttonwood

One of the biggest trees in the East, fast-growing to 75-100 feet with a massive trunk and mottled white and gray bark that peels in plates. Big maple-like leaves and hanging seed balls make a lot of litter. It wants deep, moist soil and room; in Austin, the Grow Green guide steers people to the Mexican sycamore instead, which resists bacterial leaf scorch.

Broadleaf, drops leavesFast growingFull sunLikes water
American sycamore
Marty Aligata, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Also native in: CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 FL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 GA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United States 路 Native to east Texas; Austin's Grow Green list recommends Mexican sycamore (Platanus mexicana) rather than this speciessource

Care

Plant only where it has deep soil, steady moisture and space away from pavement and foundations. Water heavily through establishment. Expect anthracnose to brown and drop leaves in wet springs, and lace bugs to speckle them in summer; neither is usually fatal. Rake often; twigs, bark and fruit balls fall year-round.

Benefits

ShadeFast canopyWildlifeBirdsFlood tolerantStores carbon well

Good for

parksStreambanksYard shade

Watch out for

Heavy litterLarge rootsPest proneSurface roots