Feature Tree

American Sycamore 

Common Name: American Sycamore

Scientific Name: Platanus occidentalis

Family:  Platanacea

This Tree in Colorado: American sycamore is a large, attractive tree that is not very common in most Colorado communities. It is common in southeastern and far western Colorado. The bark becomes a mottled brown and tan which is its main attractiveness. London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) is  a cross between American and oriental sycamore  that grows well in Colorado. It has the same characteristics as American sycamore. Its fruit has two rounded achenes.

Habit: As a young tree, it forms a single main stem. As it ages, the crown becomes large and wide spreading. The truck gets very large. Often pyramidal shape.

Hardiness: Zone 4 to 7. Mostly common to the eastern part of United States. It is not native to Colorado.

Leaves: Alternate; simple; 3”-8” wide; deciduous; deeply lobed; leaf looks very much like a maple leaf; bright green and glabrous above; paler and hairy below.  Remember, maple leaves are oppositely aligned on the twig where sycamore is alternately aligned.

Twigs:  Twigs are moderately slender; orange-brown; zigzag.

Bark: Brown on younger branches; soon becomes mottled (brown and creamy white) as the brown bark peels off; showing the creamy-white smooth inner bark; very distinctive bark.

Fruit: Single, round headed ball or achene. Mostly one per stalk,  as compared to London planetree that normally has two per stalk.

Growth Rate: Medium to fast growth rate in areas with irrigation.

Landscape Value: This tree can be very large. It is not recommended as a street tree unless the tree lawn is wider than 6 feet. It is best to plant sycamores in areas where there is considerable room. The fruit, twigs and leaves can be messy. The tree's bark is unique and adds a nice change to the  more common trees found growing in our area. The hybrid, London planetree, is more commonly planted as a street or park tree.

Diseases/Insects: Antracnose is the main disease that affects the leaves. It causes leaves to drop early. Leaves appear to be scorched in an irregular fashion.

Information sources:

•     Trees of Utah and the Intermountain West, Michael Kuhns
•     Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael Dirr 

As with all Feature Trees, considerable more information can be obtained by searching the web under the name, American sycamore.