sycamore tree identification

Mexican sycamore trees are popular in the western United States. Young sycamore have a slight zig-zag look to their branches. The sycamore is a variety of tree found in Africa. Different species trees and the maple wood is MUCH harder, likely double in strenth, with a tighter grain pattern. In addition to the identification guide of your choice, here are a couple of features you should see on this tree: Gray peeling bark in the upper half of the mature tree, revealing the bone-white trunk There are about six species of sycamore trees in the Platanus genus. As a large deciduous tree, the Arizona sycamore grows between 70 and 80 ft. (20 – 24 m). Arizona sycamore trees thrive in zones 7 – 11. They can grow to be more than 160 feet (49 meters) tall. American Sycamore vs London Planetree These species are similar and are easily confused when they occur together, such as in parks in riparian areas where both wild and planted trees are found. Its name in Latin is Acer pseudoplatanus. A pendant that intricate would likely not last too long if made of true sycamore. Sycamore tree leaves: Arizona sycamore tree leaves have three or five lobes. The leaves of a sycamore are very broad and grow out in three prongs from the stem, like a palm-leaf. These sycamore balls drop in spring, giving way to inconspicuous flower clusters. Sycamore trees are often known as plane trees. Walnut trees often grow in well-moisturized areas, so they often grow near rivers or maybe it's just that the ground is moist in that area. Because of its size, it should not be planted in small yards or under power lines. As with all sycamore species, the bark peels away as the tree matures, leaving a patchwork pattern on the trunk. When fully grown the American sycamore has large branches that form a large open canopy It is a moderate to fast growing tree Bark lacks the elasticity to maintain it’s darker outer bark so often appears patchwork or white and smooth as it grows and the older bark falls away Sycamore trees have serrated lobed leaves that resemble maple leaves with three to five lobes. The sycamore tree was brought over from France in the Middle Ages, and was often planted to shelter and shade farm houses, as it can withstand salty winds. The American sycamore, or American plane tree, is a tall tree with blotchy, greenish white bark. The native sycamore has a broad, outreaching canopy and its bark is unique among trees—you can recognize a sycamore just by looking at the jigsaw shapes of its bark. (The Latin genus name Acer means sharp, and is a reference not to the form of the tree itself but to its timber. However, for now, let’s start building your identification muscles by looking at the easiest way to identify a particular broadleaf tree: by its leaves. Sycamore maples grow to 115 ft. (35 m), have broad five-lobed leaves, and flaking rough bark that reveals inner orange bark. Sycamore tree bark: Mexican sycamore trees have smooth white and light brown bark. Sycamore tree bark: Sycamore maple tree bark is smooth and gray. From the tip of one lobe to the to the tip of the one across from it, sycamore leaves are often well over 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide. Platanus occidentalis, also known as American sycamore, American planetree, western plane, occidental plane, buttonwood, and water beech, is a species of Platanus native to the eastern and central United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, extreme southern Ontario, and possibly extreme southern Quebec. The leaves on a sycamore tree have 3-5 lobes and toothed edges. Two trees in separate plant families are sometimes called sycamores, too. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. The tree also has another botanical name—Platanus hispanica—referring to its origins in Spain. Learn more... Sycamore trees are abundant in the eastern half of the United States, and their hybrid relatives are popular across Europe. Common characteristics used to identify trees are leaves or needles, bark, branching, fruit, flowers, and buds. 5. English sycamore (Platanus acerifolia) tree. They are alternate, simple and palmate with coarse teeth. 6. To identify a sycamore tree, look for a tree with a wide trunk and a large, dome-shaped canopy. The tops of them are a darker shade of green than the bottoms, and they turn brown during the fall. Sycamore trees grow to between 100 and 130 ft. (30 – 40 m) tall. The first thing I always look for, whether leaves are on or have fallen off, is the branching: is it opposite or alternate? Sycamore trees are flowering trees in the plant genus Platanus and the family Platanaceae. Old World sycamore (Platanus orientalis) tree. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Sycamore maple trees grow to between 40 and 60 ft. (12 – 18 m) and are suitable for USDA zones 4 – 7. Sycamore trees have large serrated lobed leaves that are light-green with three or five lobes. You can also identify a sycamore tree by looking at its bark. Tree-Pictures.com has many Sycamore Tree Pictures Trees, More Pictures, Images & … If the foliage on the tree is needles or scales then you are probably looking at a conifer. It is a fast-growing and relatively long-lived tree. It is tolerant of ‘sea spray’ and may be … Sycamore tree bark: English sycamore tree bark is brown-gray that peels away in places to reveal creamy white inner bark. Remains of sycamore begin to appear in predynasticera from the start of the third millennium BCE. Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) make handsome shade trees for large landscapes.The most striking feature of the tree is the bark that has a camouflage pattern comprised of gray-brown outer bark that peels off in patches to reveal the light gray or white wood beneath. Old World sycamore trees grow in marshy, damp soil near rivers. Old World sycamore trees are suitable for growing in zones 7 to 9. https://www.nycgovparks.org/news/daily-plant?id=19242, http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=36, http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/sycamore/sycamore.html, http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/tree-identification/sycamore/, https://www.thoughtco.com/identify-maple-sycamore-yellow-poplar-sweetgum-leaves-1343480, https://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/Plant%20ID-Leaves.htm, http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/sycamore_tree_facts/1209/, http://www.arkive.org/sycamore/acer-pseudoplatanus/image-A22777.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The best way to identify sycamore trees is by their mottled, peeling bark that gives the tree a scabby look. The mottled bark gives sycamore tree trunks a camouflage appearance with the trunk displaying patches of white, brown, tan, and gray colors. Sycamore leaf with 3 lobes (left) and sycamore leaves in autumn (right). The Sycamore is a member of the maple family, known formally as the Aceraceae. The needles and scales of conifers are also considered types of leaves. The sycamore maple is in the maple family. The sycamore is a variety of tree found in Africa. Leaves … (The Latin genus name Acer means sharp, and is a reference not to the form of the tree itself but to its timber. It can be identified by its 5-lobed leaf, hanging tail of winged fruits and its bark. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. American sycamore trees are massive broad-leafed trees with a vast irregular rounded crown. Facts About Sycamore Trees. Sycamore Trees Information: Opened Fall Sycamore Tree Fruit, Sycamore Seedlings Identification. It was the ancient Egyptian Tree of Life. Old World sycamore trees grow up to 100 ft. (30 m) high, have thick rugged bark, and maple-like medium green leaves. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. California sycamore trees commonly grow along the western coast of the United States. Generally, maple trees have leaves with deep indentations between their lobes whereas sycamore trees have leaves with shallow indentations. The bark exfoliation usually begins as the tree matures. The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be 20 - 30 m (66 - 99 ft) high. Looking at pictures of English sycamore trees, you’ll notice coarse marginal teeth on the leaf margins. … Sycamore tree bark: American sycamore tree bark is reddish-brown that peels off in long strips. Also called the plane tree maple, sycamore maple trees thrive in zones 4 to 7. The foliage of American sycamore trees is a vast crown of large leaves. The Mexican sycamore can grow in large residential gardens as an ornamental tree because it doesn’t grow as tall as the American sycamore. The bark color in mature sycamore trees varies between brown and light gray. In the fall, American sycamore leaves turn an unimpressive yellow-brown color. A pendant that intricate would likely not last too long if made of true sycamore. Most conifer trees have needles or scales present all year that can be used for identification. References. Oriental planetree leaves have five or seven lobes with serrated edges. The leaves grow to between 4” and 7” (10 – 17 cm) in diameter. Adults survive the winter under peeling bark of the sycamore tree. Sycamore is a common tree and one of the largest in the eastern deciduous forests. You can easily identify an American sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis) by the following characteristics: The camouflage pattern of its bark — It has a gray-brown outer layer, and the top peels off in patches to reveal the underlying light gray or white wood. The native sycamore has a broad, outreaching canopy and its bark is unique among trees—you can recognize a sycamore just by looking at the … They differ in size, color of the bark and leaves, and habitats where they can be found. The most easily identifiable characteristics of sycamore trees are the flaky bark that is grayish brown and the multiple secondary trunks that form close to the ground. The five-lobed leaves have a rounded shape with serrated margins. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The leaves on a sycamore tree have 3-5 lobes and toothed edges. This article is a complete guide to species of sycamore trees. Older trees often have solid, light gray trunks. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This sycamore species is native to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The leaves grow in a staggered, alternating pattern along tree stems. Sycamore tree leaves: English sycamore tree has lobed leaves with three or five lobes and deep clefts between them. Mature trees are easily distinguished by differences in bark and seeds. Sycamore trees are common throughout North America. The sycamore maple seed grows in a horseshoe shape and often falls to the ground, similar to rotating helicopter blades. hornbeam - sycamore tree stock illustrations a lone sycamore tree is silhouetted against a moody dusk sky. This plant has some cultivated varieties. As the maple tree matures, the bark becomes rougher and scaly. To identify a sycamore tree, look for a tree with a wide trunk and a large, dome-shaped canopy. These trees can grow up to around 100 feet in height and they can even reach a width of up to 70 feet.. It can also be found along roadsides. Sycamore timber was popular for kitchen surfaces and utensils too, since it doesn’t stain or taint food and stays smooth, even after a good scrub. Maple trees and sycamore trees have leaves that look similar. The dangling clusters of small yellow flowers are slightly showy in spring. Arizona sycamore trees are good shade trees in extensive gardens, parks, and open green spaces. Sycamore is widely planted as a shade tree because of its distinctive white, exfoliating bark and broad, dense crown. Maple tree leaves grow with an opposite leaf … American sycamore trees grow to between 100 and 131 ft. (30 – 40 m) and have a wide thick trunk. English sycamore leaves grow to between 5” and 10” (12 – 25 cm) wide. Sycamore tree timber is a hardwood with a coarse grain. The sycamore This non-native species provides no fall color. The Israeli tree has a slightly different leaf form and a trunk that is a little shorter. Different species trees and the maple wood is MUCH harder, likely double in strenth, with a tighter grain pattern. Sycamore leaves have three or five lobes and are light green to dark green. The distinguishing feature of a sycamore tree is its bark. Sycamore can reach 98 to 130 feet in height and 4.9 to 6.6 feet in diameter. The insects feed on the undersides of the sycamore’s leaves. Go to list of cultivars. The sycamore of the Bible is better termed sycamore fig (Ficus sycamorus; see also fig), notable for its use by ancient Egyptians to make mummy cases. Young sycamore trees have a greyish-green bark that can turn into a reddish-brown color. In youth it has a pyramidal and upright habit. By using our site, you agree to our. The dark-colored bark is the part of … As with most species of sycamore or maple trees, the bark peels, giving the trunk a patchy appearance. In time, the mature trees tend to become hollow. There are about eight species of sycamore, six of them native to North America. Many American sycamore trees have trunks that divide near the ground, giving the tree a multi-stemmed appearance. In fact, Sycamore trees are one of the largest deciduous trees native to North America. Sycamores have thin, peeling reddish-brown bark and seed balls that drop in spring. The dark-colored … This was a very helpful article, "Identifying the tree by its leaves helped. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Young branches have white or gray bark that may be mottled. English sycamore trees grow to between 75 and 100 ft. (22 – 30 m) tall with a rounded growth habit. Its name in Latin is Acer pseudoplatanus . The California sycamore tree is also called the western sycamore or California plane tree. The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), also called buttonwood, is native to the southeastern United States, growing along lowland streams and rivers. English sycamore trees are massive shade trees with smooth brown peeling bark and dark green leaves. Oriental planetrees are rare in the United States. Sycamore timber was popular for kitchen surfaces and utensils too, since it doesn’t stain or taint food and stays smooth, even after a good scrub. Look for small ball-shaped fruit hanging from a sycamore tree during the summer, fall, and winter. The first thing I always look for, whether leaves are on or have fallen off, is the branching: is it opposite or alternate? Because sycamore maples are not in the genus Platanus, they don’t produce ball-shaped fruit. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (American planetree, buttonwood, American sycamore, button-ball tree) is one of Iowa's largest trees; it attains diameters of 4-7 feet and heights of over 100 feet. This ornamental landscaping tree has maple-like leaves, pale gray bark, and pairs of sycamore ball seeds. American sycamore trees produce brown spiked balls that hang on bare slender stems. The Arizona sycamore is not as drought-resistant as the Californian sycamore and needs a constant supply of water. In the United States it refers especially to the American plane tree (Platanus occidentalis). An identifying feature of California sycamore trees is their fuzzy pom-pom seed balls that appear at the end of fall. Their native habitat is in Europe, where the towering shade trees thrive in full sun. Sycamore. There are three basic types of sycamore: North American Sycamore, British sycamore and Middle Eastern sycamore. Here are descriptions of the eight species of sycamore trees popular in parks, cities, and woodlands. Sycamores have the largest trunk diameter of any tree in the United States. However, once established, these sycamores are drought-resistant and thrive in full sun. Although the tree is named sycamore, this tree species is in the genus Acer which means it is one of the types of maple trees. The large trees grow along streams and rivers and are often found in wetland areas. The five-lobed leaves have shallow notches between the lobes and smooth margins. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Identify sycamore trees by their bark: Sycamore tree bark is smooth without fissuring. Remains of sycamore begin to appear in predynasticera from the start of the third millennium BCE. Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) The sycamore tree is thought to have been introduced to the UK during the sixteenth century. Despite this fact, the sycamore species is also tolerant of drought when established. These trees have been considered sacred by many people throughout ancient history. Opposite would be like your arms, directly across from each other. It is a fast-growing and relatively long-lived tree. Sycamore tree bark: Old World sycamore tree bark is brown-gray that peels to reveal whitish-gray patches. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 100,863 times. Sycamore maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. One of the few exceptions is European larch which loses its needles in winter. In winter, sycamore trees are easy to spot due to the brown balls hanging from bare stems. The Bark of sycamore has a whitish and reddish-brown patched surface. It will have a distinct camouflage-pattern with shades of gray, tan, white, and green. The sycamore tree was brought over from France in the Middle Ages, and was often planted to shelter and shade farm houses, as it can withstand salty winds. Sycamore tree leaves grow alternately, but maple tree leaves have an opposite leaf arrangement. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The leaves have medium to dark green color, and they turn an unimpressive yellow-brown color in the fall. Sycamore is a common tree and one of the largest in the eastern deciduous forests. The tops of them are a darker shade of green than the bottoms, and they turn brown during the fall. Is Israel's sycamore tree much different from America's tree? The bark of a sycamore is distinctive. The two unique identifying features of sycamore trees are their exfoliating thin bark that gives the tree a patchy look, and their round seed balls or pods that contain downy tufts of seeds. The Bark of sycamore has a whitish and reddish-brown patched surface. An American sycamore tree can often be easily distinguished from other trees by its mottled bark which flakes off in large irregular masses, leaving the surface mottled and gray, greenish-white and brown. For this reason it is popular in furniture making and widely used as a veneer which is particularly eye-catching when crown cut or figured. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A sycamore can also be identified by its broad, maple-like leaves and button-shaped seeds. Sycamores have the largest trunk diameter of any tree in the United States. The California sycamore is large, tall tree with a fast growth rate. You can crush a leaf and smell it, it will smell like walnut. Compared to other sycamore trees, the English sycamore has a straighter, yet shorter trunk. Sycamore tree leaves: American sycamore tree leaves are an ovate shape with three or five lobes and they have medium to dark green color. It usually develops into a tree with a long, clear, strong central stem with spreading branches forming an open crown with somewhat sparse foliage. As the tree ages, the thin papery bark tends to peel away from the trunk. However, unlike other species of maple trees, the sycamore maple’s foliage doesn’t have any fall color. The Sycamore is a member of the Maple family. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Identify-a-Sycamore-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-a-Sycamore-Tree-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b0\/Identify-a-Sycamore-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/aid8977158-v4-728px-Identify-a-Sycamore-Tree-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"