American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis, also called Sycamore, American planetree
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4-9
- Mature size
- 75 to 100 feet tall and 50 to 70 feet wide
- Native to
- Central and eastern US and southeastern Canada, along rivers, streams and bottomlands
- Sun
- Full sun; does not tolerate shady sites.
- Soil
- Moist, deep, rich, well-drained soil, but adaptable to pH, texture and clay. Tolerates wet sites, occasional flooding, road salt, pollution and black walnut.
- Growth
- Fast.
Before you plant one
- Needs a very large space: plan for more than 60 feet.
- Messy: drops leaves, twigs, bark and seed balls.
- Keep it away from septic fields.
- Susceptible to wind damage and frost cracks.
Growing American sycamore
A huge, stately shade tree known for its peeling bark, which flakes off in patches of white, gray and green and turns nearly white high in the crown. It has high wildlife value for birds and small mammals. Plant it in full sun with plenty of room, ideally in deep, moist soil. It transplants well.
Common problems
Sycamore anthracnose is the big one: it can badly damage leaves and twigs and often causes early leaf drop. Also canker, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and insects including borers, scale, aphids, Japanese beetles, bagworms, caterpillars and spider mites.
Questions people ask
What zones can I grow American sycamore in?
USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
How big does American sycamore get?
75 to 100 feet tall and 50 to 70 feet wide at maturity. Fast.