American Sycamore

American Sycamore

The American sycamore tree, Plantanus occidentalis, is a robust majestic tree, and it is unique in that the wood has interlocking fibers. Before deciding to plant one of these trees, know that they can grow anywhere from 60 – 120 feet high into the air and 10 to 30 feet around.

While the American sycamore can be found mostly in Eastern deciduous forests, they thrive in areas that have been strip-mined because these trees have a unique way of revitalizing the area and saturating the soil. They need to be planted near rivers because of the fertile, moist soil.

They can grow in areas like old fields and waterways. Native Americans used the American sycamore tree for medicinal purposes to help with respiratory illnesses, skin problems, and stomach ailments. The warm wood was used to make canoes.

The American sycamore tree can live to be 500 years old and are found to be quite healthy at 200 years.

They come from one of the oldest plant families on the planet dating back over 100 million years. They can be found in the United States in southern Michigan, eastern Pennsylvania, all over Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and in south Georgia. These trees can also be found in the mountain regions of northeastern Mexico.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Sycamore tree flourishes in zones 4 through 9.

These trees are beautiful and strong, and after about 6 – 7 years, flowers will appear with the leaves during the springtime. The tree also bears fruit. Sycamore figs or mulberries will ripen during the fall months.

The little sycamore seed balls that appear can be used as compost or in craft materials. They are also handy to dip in peanut butter and seeds and pop them up outside to feed the birds for winter. The seeds found inside of the sycamore balls are nutritious for a variety of birds, squirrels, beavers, and muskrats.

All in all, the beautiful and majestic American sycamore is a treasured tree to have on your property.

The American Sycamore is shipped bare root.