American Sycamore

American Sycamore is a large native tree found along streambanks, moist woodlands, wetlands, and floodplains.

This large tree is striking, and easily identifiable due to its bark, which flakes off to reveal shades of green, tan, brown, and chalky white. With age, upper branches eventually become nearly completely white. But that is not all. The leaves are large, 8 inches wide or more, and reminiscent of maple leaves, though with shallower lobes. Did we mention these trees grow fast? When sited well, a young American Sycamore can grow three feet a year. A 20-year-old tree can reach 70 feet!

You may also know this plant as American Planetree or Buttonball.

Purple Finches, Black-capped Chickadees, Pine Siskins, and American Goldfinches feast upon the seeds in late winter. Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Kingbirds, and Yellow-throated Warblers will take refuge in diseased limbs. The large stature and branching habits of the American Sycamore create the ideal nesting cover for birds and wildlife. Older trees will have larger cavities carved out that are appealing to Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Squirrels, and Raccoons. Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Baltimore Orioles, Yellow-throated Vireos, and other species of birds are known to make American Sycamores their nesting site. American Sycamore is also the host plant to the caterpillars of the Sycamore Tussock Moth (Halisidota harrisii).

American Sycamore is a species of concern in Wisconsin where it is found in the southern third part of the state, most significantly along major rivers.

American Sycamore is the largest diameter deciduous tree in North America – one of the largest being recorded by George Washington – measuring 13 feet in diameter.

Trees can live for 600 years!

The Meskwaki people made an infusion of the bark and used it as a blood purifier, a foot soak for rheumatism, hemorrhages, lung ailments, and as a wash to dry smallpox pustules and treat wounds.