Platanus occidentalis

Common Name
Sycamore
American sycamore
Scientific Name
Platanus occidentalis
Ground Cover
No
Evergreen
Yes
Plant Form
Large Trees
Max Height (ft)
100.0
Growth Rate
Fast
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Additional Info

Habitat: Floodplain forests and swamps, montane alluvial forests, stream banks, flood-scoured rocky bars and shores, and disturbed alluvial habitats; an occasional invader of old fields and disturbed forests on mesic lower slopes and uplands. Common in the mountains and piedmont; frequent in the coastal Plain.

Wildlife Value: Many songbirds including the Purple Finch, Juncos, American Goldfinch, and the Carolina Chickadee enjoy eating the seeds. The tree hosts wood-boring insects and leafhoppers.

Notes: Showy white bark, particularly beautiful in winter. Foliage is aromatic in the summer after a rain. A fungal disease can cause temporary defoliation in wet springs. Tolerates drought once mature. When considering American sycamore for a home landscape, keep in mind that it will require a very large space and its littering of twigs and fruits can be messy.

Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Shade
Moisture Requirements
Wet
Moist
Dry
Soil Texture
Clay
Loamy
Sandy
Grassland Species
No
Riparian Buffer Species?
Yes
Riparian Buffer Zones
SF
WF
RT
Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Green
Red/burgandy
Flower Prominence
Reduced
Bloom Time
Spring
Bloom Month
April
Deer Resitant
Yes
Low Maintenance
No
Good Choice for Public Spaces
Yes
Seed or Fruit eaten by wildlife?
Yes
Supports Pollinators
No