California Sycamore, California Plane Tree

Sun Exposure: Full sun, intolerant of shade

Origin: California, Baja California, on stream and river banks, below 5000 feet elevation (1500 m)

Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, fast growing 60 to 100 feet tall when mature (18-30 m), 60 to 70 feet spread (18-21 m); alternate, palmately veined, three to five lobes leaf, 5 to 10 inches long (12-25 cm), trunk up to 11 feet in diameter (3.3 m), hairy when young

Watering Needs: Deep waterings in summer

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

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

Fruiting Habits:
The fruit is a spiky 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.