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Platanus occidentalis

American Sycamore or Buttonwood

Plant photo of: Platanus occidentalis
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Information by: Jerry Sortomme        Photographer: Connon Nursery, JJ Neilso

 

Description

This beautiful deciduous tree rapidly reaches 75'-90' tall and 60'-70' wide. It starts out with a pyramidal habit and changes to a broad round crown later. Leaves are simple, green and can be 6"-10" long. Foliage turns yellow brown in fall. Red flowers appear in the spring but are not significant. The bark exfoliatesand can be reddish brown or gray. The peeling bark reveals a white inner bark. This tree needs moist, fertile, well-draining soil with full sun. Plant in large space areas such as parks.

 

Plant Type

Tree

Height Range

60-100'

Flower Color

Red

Flower Season

Spring

Leaf Color

Green

Bark Color

Brown, Grey, Red

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

Water

Medium

Growth Rate

Fast

Soil Type

Loam

Soil Condition

Rich, Well-drained, Moist

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Water Garden, Wetlands, Wild Garden, Woodland

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Specimen

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Location Uses

Background, Lawn

Special Uses

Shade Tree

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Consider replacing some lawn areas with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs.

Good candidates for removal are portions of large lawns, areas where no one uses the grass, patches that don't grow well, or spaces too small to water without overspray.