Sycamore tree bark
exfoliating bark of the sycamore tree
Sycamore tree - twig and buds
pseudo-terminal bud and lateral bud demonstrating angled growth in between
Sycamore tree - lateral bud
lateral bud on the sycamore with stipule scar encircling the twig and leaf scar around the base of the bud
Fruit - hanging in singles
A ball of tightly packed half inch winged seeds surrounded by fine hairs
Dispersed seeds
seeds surrounded by fine hairs for wind dispersal
Leaf bud
Leaf bud breaks and new leaves emerge
Mixed bud
Both leaves and flowers emerging from this bud
Sycamore - leaves
simple leaves with large-toothed edges and 3 to 5 lobes

Plant Characteristics:

  • Tree: large tree 80 – 100 ft and 3 – 4 ft in diameter; a round or oval open crown with crooked branches; has the largest trunk diameter of any North American hardwood
  • Bark: eye catching white, grey, green, brown and tan exfoliating bark; jigsaw puzzle scales sit on top of smooth white bark underneath, the alternating layers resembling camouflage; upper trunk and branches have smooth white bark; mid and lower sections of the trunk are grayish-brown and scaly
  • Twigs: thick, orange-brown, with a zig-zag shape. stipule scars encircles the twig at the node (location of bud)
  • Buds: leaf scar surrounds the bud, buds are reddish, resinous, and conical with a single scale
  • Leaves: alternate; simple; large, floppy leaves 5 to 8 in long and broad; large toothed margin with 3-5 lobes divided by broad, shallow sinuses; pale, hairy underleaf; leaf stem base enlarged to encircle the bud; stipule is a prominent toothed leaf-like growth around the stem at the base of each leaf
  • Fall Foliage: muted shades of yellow and brown
  • Flowers: in dense spherical heads, with 3-6 sepals and petals, this species has both male flower heads that are small and red, and female flower heads that are larger and green to reddish
  • Fruit type: tightly compacted 1¼ in ball with winged seeds, hanging singly on drooping stalks; matures in late fall when the fluff is transported by winds

Additional Details:

  • The identifiable “camouflage” shedding bark layers help clear pollution that can block gas exchange.
  • Stumps from large felled trees have been used as square-dance floors in W. VA.
  • Hollow trunks were historically used for grain or smoking meat. Families used them as shelter while their log cabins were being raised.
  • At one time, practically all butcher blocks were made of sycamore.
  • They are good nesting sites for chimney swifts and wildlife. Seeds are eaten by songbirds.
  • Sycamores can be tapped and the sap boiled down into syrup and sugar; however, huge amounts of sap are needed.

A member of the Planetree Family, also known as Buttonwood, Buttonball Tree, Whitewood, Virginia Maple and American Planetree.

References:
Brown, R. and M. Brown. 1972. Woody Plants of Maryland. Port City Press, Baltimore, MD.
Foster, S. and J. Duke. 1990. A field guide to medicinal plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.
Grimm, W. C. and J. Kartesz. 2002. The Illustrated Book of Trees. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsburg, PA.
Harris, J. and M. Woolf Harris. 1994. Plant Identification Terminology: An illustrated Glossary. Spring Lake Publishing, Spring Lake, UT.
Peterson, L. 1977. A field guide to edible wild plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.
Virginia Department of Forestry. 2022. Common Native Trees of Virginia – Tree Identification Guide.
The Wildflower Center Staff. 2023. Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The University of Texas at Austin.