Sycamore

25 plants per unit

SYCAMORE

Platanus occidentalis

Native Range
Sycamore is native in eastern United States from eastern one-third of Kansas to Maine and Florida.
Usually grows along rivers.

Mature Size

One of the largest trees in the state reaching a height of about 80 feet with immense spreading branches.

Growth Rate
Growth rate is rapid when young if it has sufficient moisture.

Exposure
Very intolerant - needs full sun light. Leaves, Stems and Fruit

The leaves are simple and alternately arranged on the twig with 3 or 5 pointed lobes and a few
coarse teeth. Base is lobed or straight or with a small triangular portion of the blade extended along
the petiole. Yellow-green to medium green above, paler green beneath with pale hairs along the
veins. May reach 6-10 inches long and 4-6 wide. It has a leaf-like stipule on the stem above the leaf.
Twigs are green to slightly brown or gray-brown, coarse, rigid, enlarged at the nodes. Buds are coneshaped
developing inside the base of the petiole with only one bud scale. Bark is dark brown when
young but becomes white to greenish-white and showy with age. Flowers are separate on the same
tree and not showy. Fruit is golfball-like and is green when young and brown when mature.

Use

Wildlife Habitat

Sycamores make good den and roost trees.

Riparian Buffers
It is often a good selection for riparian plantings due to its high flood tolerance and extensive root
system.

Adaptation
Eastern half of Kansas.