Sycamore Platanus occidentalis L.

Characteristics

Leaves: Simple, alternate, usually 7 inches in length and width, dark green, smooth upper and lighter lower surface, lower surface may have a few hairs present along the veins, shape resembles a heart, lobes are shallow and pointed with 3 or 5 lobes.

Flower: Staminate (Male) and Pistillate (female) are not attached but are present on the same trees, small in size and grouped in a rounded cluster

Fruit: Sticky, round, brown balls hanging from a drooping stem and containing numerous seeds covered by hairs.

Twig: Brownish, smooth with alternating, slightly raised leaf scars that surround the bud,  have 5 to 7 bundle traces present.

Bud: Pointy, shades of light brown, grow to about 1/4 of an inch in length, completely covered by the stalk of the leaf. 

Bark: Smooth scales that peel away, outer bark is shades of red and brown and inner bark is typically  either green or white.

Form: Can grow to be about 150 feet tall but are generally around 100 feet tall with a width of 8 feet at the trunk, wide irregular shaped crown

Wood Description & Use: Hard and durable; interior wood work, furniture, ornamental.

Distinguishing Features: Leaf lobe is palmate, bark is splotched with gray, green, and  white patches.

Habitat: Found along water.

Range: From Maine and Wisconsin to Nebraska, Texas and Florida.

Location: Toledo, Illinois

Sources:  Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

© 2003 Cumberland High School. Lauren H. All rights reserved.

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois Index Page