Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore or Buttonwood
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.