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American sycamore

American sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

tree☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 3b – Zone 9b

A large, fast-growing native deciduous tree with distinctive white and gray exfoliating bark and maple-like leaves that turn golden in fall. Excellent shade tree for large landscapes, particularly suited to riparian zones and wet areas.

Overview

Form
Spreading
Growth Rate
fast
Size
75–100′ tall × 75–100′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

low

Flood Tolerance

moderate
Zone 3bZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 3b to Zone 9b

pH Range

4.96.5
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 4.9 to 6.5

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringFall

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Function & Care

biomass/mulcherosion controlwildlife benefitwindbreak
Coppicing

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed, cutting