Feature Tree - February 2003
American Sycamore
(click here for Tree of the Month archives)
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:
As with all Feature Trees, considerable more information can be obtained by searching the web under the name, American sycamore.
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