Common Name - American Sycamore

Scientific Name - Platanus occidentalis

Description: Large specimens are easily recognized, even at a distance, by their open crown of large, lateral spreading branches, growing between 60 and 100 feet tall. It has a straight trunk rising from a large base. Also called the American Planetree, this species develops the largest trunk of any North American hardwood with the current champion having a diameter of 11 feet. 
The American Sycamore Tree Leaf

Description:
deciduous, alternate, simple, palmately lobed, broadly ovate, somewhat maple-like in their general appearance, and from 4 to 10 inches wide.  They have from 3 to 5 coarsely and wavy-toothed lobes which are pointed at the tips, and separated by very broad and usually shallow sinuses.  The blades are thin but firm, bright green and smooth above, paler beneath, at first coated with whitish down, but eventually becoming smooth or nearly so. 

© Riddle Elementary School, Mattoon, IL - 2003

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