American Sycamore

The American Sycamore tree has the largest leaves of all the American trees. They range from 4-10 inches in width and the same in length. The leaves are arranged alternately, are palmately veined and 3-5 lobed. The leaf is bright green on the top side and is slightly lighter on the bottom. The stem of the leaf is coated with fine hairs.The flowers on the tree are separated according to gender. The male and female flowers are on different stalks. The male flowers are dark red and grow in clusters on a short base. The female flowers are light green, and grow in tightly packed balls or heads attached to long thin stems.These female flowers stay on the tree through the winter. Some other forms of sycamore have female flowers that hang in groups of 2-4.

The American Sycamore tree averages 60-120 feet in height with a trunk that has a diameter from 2-5 feet. Trees up to 140 feet high have been recorded. The irregular crown of this tree can grow to be 100 or more feet across. The bark of the Sycamore tree is unable to stretch as the tree grows so it cracks and breaks away leaving a white spot. After several years the bark is a mottled brown and white color.

Sycamore trees range from southern Maine, west to Kansas and Texas, south to northern Florida and northwest to the middle of Michigan. The American Sycamore is native to the United States, Mexico, and Central America. There is also one Platanus orientalis that is native to Southwestern Asia.

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