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American Sycamore

Researched by Sabrina Priya 

Image of the large branches in an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.Species:  Platanus occidentalis
Common name: American sycamore, Occidental plane, American planetree, Buttonwood
Family:  Platanaceae (Plane Family)
Clade:  Angiosperms (flowering seed plants)

Coordinates: 39.70659023, -75.12071489

Tree Tag: 044 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

Hello! You have reached the well-known American Sycamore tree! This native species evolved over 100 million years, and individual trees can live up to 600 years.

This particular tree is large and has been a part of Rowan’s Glassboro campus for years. If you can touch the bark of the tree, it has a smooth texture with some flaky patches peeling from the trunk. The flaky patches and white spots on the bark are characteristics of the American Sycamore. They result from the process of “shedding out of its skin” due to the increased secondary growth and lack of elasticity in the bark. Native Americans often used the entire trunk of the sycamore trees to make huge canoes. Read More

1_All-colored-leaves_American-Sycamore
Image of tree trunk and bark of an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of tree trunk and bark of an American sycamore in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of the leaves of a sycamore in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of a platanus occidentalis tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of a platanus occidentalis tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of the leaves and branches of a platanus occidentalis tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of an American planetree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of an American sycamore leaf during fall.
Image of the American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of the large branches in an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of the occidental plane tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of the large branches in an American plane tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of an American plane tree leaf during fall.
Image of an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
IImage of tree trunk and bark of an American sycamore in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of seeds from an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of seeds from an occidental plane tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of an American sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
Image of a sycamore tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography

A photo of Sabrina Priya, student in the Plan Diversity course working with the Rowan University Arboretum Project.Sabrina Priya

Chemistry (2021)

I study Chemistry to understand everything in this world on a molecular level. I feel as if the most scientific knowledge about everything surrounding the world is in Chemistry. Therefore I plan to attend Rowan University Graduate School, in MS Pharmaceutical Sciences. Hopefully, I earn my Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry to pursue research. 

I am a Biology minor, therefore, I found Plant Diversity as an interesting course to take before I graduate. I have learned a lot about natural surroundings and how important plants are economically, medically, ecologically, and more.

Suggested Citation:

Priya, Sabrina. (2021, Dec). American Sycamore. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/american-sycamore/

Questions to Explore

    • How would you determine the age of the American Sycamore trees in front of Bunce Hall? How does the answer affect your perception of these trees and your community?
    • What does the Sycamore tree symbolize and how does this symbolism connect with the settlers of early Glassboro and the Glassboro Normal School?
    • Does the American Sycamore have any medical uses?
    • How did Native Americans utilize the Sycamore tree?

References

NCSU trees. (2020, May 4). Platanus occidentalis [YouTube Video]. Link

Grundmann, B. (2020,September 8). The American Sycamore at a Glance. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). | Link

Sheet, P. F., & Page, G. C. Platanus occidentalis L. Hillsdale College | Link 

American Sycamore. Missouri Botanical Garden. | Link

 

Rowan University Resources:

You may need to log into the Rowan University Library website.

Trees in our pocket: A guide to trees of the Upper Midwest | Link

American Sycamore- The Ghost Wood | Link

Teaching the Trees: Lessons from the Forest | Link

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