Sycamore, American

Standing before you today is the American Sycamore, or Plantanus occidentalis, the deciduous tree with the largest-diameter in North America. Fast-growing and tall, this tree can reach heights of 100 feet and live up to 600 years. The fruiting heads that appear in the fall remain on the tree throughout winter and contain many hairy seeds. These globose heads of seeds hang from a long stalk and shatter during the winter, littering the ground with their seeds. The bark of the American Sycamore is unique. Thin and flaky, the brown scales shed off of the tree exposing a chalky white inner bark. The massive leaves of this tree are leathery and bright-green with a large-toothed edge.