Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore)

Fast-growing, Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore) is an enormous deciduous tree adorned with a massive trunk and a rounded crown of huge, crooked, horizontal branches. The foliage of large maple-shaped medium- to dark-green leaves, 4-10 in. wide (10-25 cm) turns yellow-brown in the fall. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear in rounded clusters in spring. The female flowers are followed by tiny, fuzzy, long-stalked, hanging balls that persist into early winter. One of the most striking features of the American Sycamore is the gray bark, which flakes off in patches to reveal the creamy white inner bark. A majestic and noble tree for plantings along streams, in groupings, or as a single specimen.

• Grows up to 70-100 ft. tall and wide (21-30 m).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in rich, humusy, fertile, consistently moist but well-drained soils. Dry soil can lead to a short life for this wet-site-tolerant tree. Tolerates wet and compacted soils.
• Keep an eye out for canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, borers, scale, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, and mites. This beautiful tree is subject to attacks of anthracnose in wet, cool springs, a disease that causes moderate to severe leaf drop.
• Propagate by seed or cuttings. Seeds that overwinter on trees and are planted in spring will germinate promptly.
• Native to North America.