Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
American sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Whole tree — Platanus occidentalis. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMarty Aligata ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Sycamore anthracnose can blight young leaves and twigs in cool, wet springs; powdery mildew and leaf spots may also occur.
Insects to recognize
Scale, borers and leaf-feeding insects may occur.
When to look
Look for early leaf blight in spring and whether healthy new leaves follow later.
A useful first step
Monitor recovery after spring leaf loss. Repeated dieback, cankers or extensive decline should be assessed.
More growing details
Read the leaves
A large blade has three to five pointed lobes with toothed edges. Check alternate attachment to separate it from maples.
Read the bark
Upper bark flakes away to expose pale cream and white patches; old lower trunks can remain rough.
Fruit & seed
Round hanging balls hold many small seeds; American sycamore usually has one ball on each stalk.
Winter character
Pale upper bark and lingering solitary seed balls are strong clues.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
WNC Notes
Dramatic native for very large moist sites; litter, anthracnose, and aggressive roots preclude tight spaces.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
75–100
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
75–100
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Catkins
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow-brown
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Low
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Platanus occidentalis. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeMarty Aligata ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: Platanus occidentalis, American Sycamore fall color☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeT. Davis Sydnor ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Species reference; does not confirm the named variety. Photograph subject: Platanus occidentalis, American Sycamore buds☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeRobert Videki ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.American sycamore leaf underside, photographed in Warren County, North Carolina. Trace the palmately branching veins and angular lobes on a full blade.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy DeWitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Platanus occidentalis, American Sycamore bark — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeElizabeth Moss ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Platanus occidentalis, American Sycamore leaves and fruit — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeAllen Bridgman ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
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