American sycamore - Platanaceae Platanus occidentalis

Taxonomy

Cladeangiosperm
FamilyPlatanaceae
GenusPlatanus
Speciesoccidentalis
Common NameAmerican sycamore
iTree CodePLOC

Plant Form

FormTree: tall, large crown
Height100 feet
Spread60 feet
DeciduousYes

Identification Description

Foliagelobed (like maple), dark/shiny green, coarse toothed edge, 4-8” wide Leaf Type  Information Icon Simple
Barkmottled brown/white/green, flaking/patchy & creamy/white smooth underneath
Budfalse terminal bud, single bud-cap, lateral buds hidden under leaf-stem Bud Arrangement Information Icon Alternate
Twigslender, red-brown
Flowerboth male and female on single tree; male- yellow, female-red
Fruitround “ball” (achene) of many tightly packed seeds, persists in winter
Fall Colorbrown

Site Characteristics

USDA Zones   info for zones pH LevelsSalt Tolerance
Min4a Min4.9 SoilIntolerant
Max9b Max6.5 SprayIntolerant

Shade ToleranceDrought ToleranceAllelopathy
Intermediate Moderate No

Species Status

Nebraska Native Yes Check
U.S. Native Yes Check
Region of OriginUnited States, Mexico