Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Platanaceae


Description

Sycamore is a large, cool-season tree in the Sycamore Family that reaches heights of 100 feet. Its most recognizable feature is the smooth, white and light brown trunk.

The leaves of the tree are large, simple and typically have 3 to 5 pointed lobes. On the top, the leaves are bright green and the bottom of the leaves are a paler and hairy.

The male and female flowers of Sycamore are separate but on the same tree. They grow in round clusters at the end of a short stalk from April to May. Its fruit are dark brown balls at the end of a 3 to 6 inch stalk that stay attached to the tree throughout much of the winter.


Habitat

Sycamore grows in bottomlands and along streams from central to east Texas.


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