Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) are large deciduous trees, prominent in many landscapes. They are easily recognized by their unique bark, leaves, and fruit. Identifying these distinct features helps spot them in various environments.
Distinctive Bark
The bark of a sycamore tree is its most identifiable feature. It exhibits a unique peeling habit, where older, darker outer bark flakes off in irregular patches. This reveals a lighter, smoother inner bark underneath, which can range in color from white, cream, green, or tan. This creates a mottled, camouflage-like pattern across the trunk and larger branches.
This shedding occurs because the sycamore’s rigid bark cannot stretch to accommodate rapid growth. As the tree expands, the brittle outer layer cracks and exfoliates, exposing the newer, lighter bark. While the lower trunk of a mature sycamore may have rougher, scaly gray-brown bark, the upper trunk and branches consistently display this distinctive multi-colored, peeling appearance.
Unique Leaves
Sycamore leaves are large and distinctively shaped. They are broad and palmate, with lobes radiating from a central point, similar to a hand. They typically have three to five prominent lobes with coarsely toothed margins.
These leaves measure between 4 to 9 inches wide and often feel thick or leathery. Their prominent veins spread from the leaf stem, with the upper surface bright green and the underside paler and slightly fuzzy. The base of the leaf stalk (petiole) uniquely encircles and covers the new bud, a characteristic not found in many other trees.
Characteristic Fruit and Seed Balls
The sycamore tree’s fruit, especially visible in fall and winter, aids identification. These trees produce spherical, spiky seed balls, often called “buttonballs” or “buttonwood” for their resemblance to buttons. These balls hang individually or in pairs from long, flexible stalks.
Initially green, the seed balls turn brown as they mature and can persist on the tree through winter. Each ball contains numerous tiny, winged seeds, called achenes, tightly packed together. Eventually, these balls break apart, allowing seeds to disperse by wind.
Overall Form and Size
Sycamore trees are known for their stature, often reaching heights of 75 to 100 feet, with some specimens growing up to 150 feet or more under ideal conditions. They develop a wide-spreading canopy, often as broad as the tree is tall, providing substantial shade.
Younger sycamores may have a pyramidal shape, but older trees develop a rounded or irregular crown with large, spreading branches. Sycamores thrive in moist environments, frequently found along rivers, streams, and floodplains, but their hardiness also makes them common in urban settings. Their large trunk diameter, which can exceed that of many other trees, contributes to their distinct silhouette.