American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

Large-sized | Deciduous | Height: 75 - 100 ft | Spread: 75-100ft

Named after its British counterpart, the American Sycamore is a fast growing, woody deciduous species with notable brown and white bark. Historically, the tree trunks were carved out and utilized as canoes by Native people. With a developed, lush crown, the species prefers full sun. Its leaves turn a yellow-brown throughout the fall while in the spring, the tree develops modest monoecious flowers that appear in small clusters. 

The Sycamore is a great choice for urban environments if you have lots of space. It is extremely fast growing–up to 3 feet per year–and thrives in full sun and various soil types, including heavy clay and wet areas that might drown other species. It is also able to handle compacted, low-oxygen, and high-pH soils common in cities, as well as urban pollutants. Because of its aggressive root system, it is great for sponging stormwater runoff. It is a messy tree, though, and drops many twigs and branches.  

The sycamore provides food for birds and mammals alike, namely the purple finch, goldfinch, chickadees, muskrats, beavers, and squirrels. With age, the tree will become hollow enough to provide shelter for land-dwelling birds and animals. 

For more information on the species and its growing conditions, visit https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/platanus-occidentalis/.