American Sycamore, Buttonwood

Scientific Name: Platanus occidentalis L.
Family: Platanaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: All zones
USDA: 4-10

Sun Exposure: Full sun, intolerant of shade

Origin: Eastern North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico

Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, 60 to 120 feet tall when mature (18-37 m), 60 to 70 feet spread (18-21 m); alternate, palmately veined, three to five lobes leaf, 4 to 8 inches wide (10-20 cm)

Flowers: Yellow or red flowers

Watering Needs: Deep waterings in summer

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

Propagation: Seed

• by seeds, in spring. The seeds can be harvested in late autumn. The seeds need stratification.

Blooming Habits:
The sycamore is monoecious. The inconspicuous separate male and female spherical flower heads appear in March to April. The flowers are red.

Fruiting Habits:
The fruit is a tan-colored ball of multiple achenes borne on a stalk 3 to 6 inches long (7-18 cm). The ball is 1 inch in diameter (2.5 cm). Each winged seed is 0.5 inch long, (1.2 cm) maturing as the leaves fall before winter, but staying on the tree until the following spring.

Propagation:
The seeds need to be kept wet during their germination and early growth.