Rowan University Libraries Arboretum Logo
M
Home 9 Trees 9 American Sycamore

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.

 

American sycamore is a native species that evolved over 100 million years ago. Individual trees can live up to 600 years. The bark has a smooth texture, often with flaky patches peeling from the trunk. The flaky patches and white spots are characteristic of the American Sycamore, resulting from the process of “shedding” due to increased secondary growth and lack of elasticity within the bark. Native Americans often used the entire trunk to craft huge canoes.

Sycamore leaves are broad, with four to five lobes and toothed margins. Some bear leaf spots are caused by a fungal infection called anthracnose, which can weaken the bark and hollow out the tree. The fall leaf color is not particularly noteworthy, but winter interest kindled by the mottled bark is striking. 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.

[Show slideshow]
1 2
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

Sabrina Priya earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2021.

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

Top

Skip to content