Sycamore, American (Platanus occidentalis)

NATIVE RANGE:

Eastern North America

DESCRIPTION:

Large deciduous tree recognizable by its mottled bark that flakes off into a stark white winter coat. It grows alternate lobed leaves and prickly brown ball fruit.

American-sycamore-platanus-occidentalis- dreamstime_xxl_51984897.jpg

---

american_sycamore_bark ID: 28856008 © John Anderson | Dreamstime.com

BARK:

These trees are easy to recognize because of their jigsaw puzzle bark that turns stark white in the winter. Unlike most trees, the fibers of sycamore bark are too brittle to stretch, so during the growing season it sloughs off its outer layer to make room for new growth.

SIZE:

In deep soil, these trees can get massive, reaching up to 150 feet high with trunks that are 13 feet in diameter.

american_sycamore_buttonball_tree ID: 70675707 © Sheila Fitzgerald | Dreamstime.com