A massive eastern North American plane tree of river bottoms, with mottled white bark and the largest leaves of any tree in its range.
Where it grows
The American sycamore (often called buttonwood) is native to riparian forests across the eastern United States and southern Ontario, from Maine to Florida and west to Iowa and Texas. It favours rich, moist bottomland soils along streams and rivers and is one of the largest trees east of the Mississippi.
How to recognise it
The upper trunk and branches of mature trees are smooth, white, and ghostly, contrasting with the dark grey, plated bark at the base. The huge, three- to five-lobed leaves can span 25 centimetres across — among the largest of any North American hardwood. Spherical seed balls (“buttons”) dangle singly through winter, breaking apart in spring to release fluffy seed.
Uses
The light, even-grained heartwood is sold as American sycamore and is used for butcher blocks, drawer sides, and shipping crates. The tree is planted in parks and along boulevards for its remarkable bark and broad shade.
Notable trees
A famous hollow American sycamore on the Ohio River was big enough to shelter pioneer families in the 18th century; another in Ohio held the record for trunk circumference east of the Mississippi.
Find more trees by letter
American Sycamore starts with A and ends with E. Browse other trees along the same letter.
Trees that contain a letter from "American Sycamore":