American sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size75 to 100 feet tall75 to 100 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow (male) and red (female)
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, silt
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a tree for specimen use, shade gardens, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet soil of most types. The trunk grows massive, and old bark sloughs off in plates to show smooth, whitish inner bark. Round fruits often stay on the branches through December. Deer tend to browse other plants first.
Pairs well with Red maple, Cinnamon fern, and Bottlebrush buckeye.
Native range
Southeastern United States.