Sycamores

Sycamore is a common name applied to several tree species in temperate regions. In North America it most often refers to the American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, a large deciduous tree that grows in river valleys and floodplains. In Europe and parts of Asia the term is also used for plane trees of the genus Platanus, including hybrids such as Platanus × acerifolia, commonly called the London plane. In some regions the name is used for the sycamore maple, Acer pseudoplatanus, a true maple that is not closely related to plane trees. The unrelated sycamore fig, Ficus sycomorus, is native to parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Description: American sycamore typically attains great size, with a broad crown and a trunk that sheds bark in patches of white, green, and brown, creating a mosaic appearance. Leaves are large, alternate, and palmately lobed. The tree bears inconspicuous flowers in summer and produces spherical seed balls that often persist into winter.

Ecology and uses: Sycamores prefer moist, fertile soils and are common along rivers and in bottomlands. They are also widely planted in urban areas for shade and aesthetic value. Wood from American sycamore is relatively soft and not highly durable, limiting its structural uses but making it suitable for cabinetry, turning, and crates. The name can cause confusion with sycamore maple due to regional differences in terminology.