American Sycamore

February 2024 Tree of the Month: American Sycamore

The American Sycamore Tree, also known as Platanus Occidentalis, is native to the eastern and central United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, extreme southern Ontario, and extreme southern Quebec. These trees can live up to 500 years and grow up to 100 feet tall. The name comes from the Greek word, sukomoras, a native Mediterranean “fig mulberry”.

A monoecious plant, sycamores have male and female flowers on the separate twigs of the same plant. The round seed pods develop in the fall, hang from the trees through late winter, and generally drop in the spring.

The growth rate of a sycamore tree is moderate to rapid, at approximately 2 feet per year. This is a very good shade tree that can be strategically planted to reduce summer cooling costs in buildings. It flourishes in many soil types and conditions, but it prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil.

A sycamore’s leaves are the largest of any tree in North America, with edges like saw teeth, and fuzzy undersides and tops. The leaves release a fine dust when chipped up. Because of the possible exposure to this dust irritant, sycamore trees are trimmed during the winter months, when the leaves have already fallen.

A sycamore’s wood burns very well in a fire when seasoned, usually after a year. It is also used to make musical instruments, butcher blocks and furniture.

In Cranford, we can see excellent examples of sycamore trees on South Union Avenue (Livingston to Lexington Avenues), Thomas Street, Severin Court, and Adams Avenue (near the fields).

Fun Fact: There is an American Sycamore in the Brandywine Battlefield State Park in Chadds Ford (Delaware County), Pennsylvania. This tree is called the "Lafayette Sycamore". During the Battle of the Brandywine, it is reported that Marquis de Lafayette rested under the tree after being wounded. The tree is estimated to be between 299 and 365 years old, has a girth of 23 feet, and is 109.5 feet tall.