YELLOWSTONE ARBORETUM
" Stewards of the Natural Environment "
Billings, Montana @ ZooMontana
Eastern Sycamore
Catalogue A# 0099-195
GPS 45D 43' 56" N / 108D 37' 9" W
Platanus occidentalis
Family: Platanaceae
Origin: North America
Common name: Eastern Sycamore
Location: Old Pond-along canal far south
Number in accession: (3) original (2) surviving
Note: 2 observed first surviving in 2003
This 13 inch Broadleaf Deciduous Sycamore provides overall benefits of: $109 every year.
Family (English): Sycamore; planetree
Family (Botanic): Platanaceae
Planting Site: Residential and parks, City parkway, Wide median
Tree or Plant Type: Tree
Foliage: Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale: North America
Landscape Uses: Parkway/street, Shade tree, Specimen
Size Range: Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature Height: 75-100 feet
Mature Width: 50-70 feet
Light Exposure: Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness Zones: Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Soil Preference: Alkaline soil, Wet soil
Acid Soils: Tolerant
Alkaline Soils: Prefers
Salt Spray: Moderately Tolerant
Soil Salt: Tolerant
Drought Conditions: Intolerant
Poor Drainage: Tolerant
Planting Considerations: Messy fruit/plant parts
Ornamental Interest: Showy fruit, Attractive bark
Season of Interest: Early winter, Mid winter, Late winter, Early fall, Mid fall, Late fall
Flower Color & Fragrance: Inconspicuous
Shape or Form: Broad, Irregular, Pyramidal, Round
Growth Rate: Fast
Transplants Well: Yes
Wildlife: Birds, Insect pollinators, Small mammal
CRITIQUE
The sycamore is a grand, stately shade tree for a larger site. It has broad green leaves but is most recognizable by its peeling bark, with patches of white and gray. Native to North America, sycamores have very high wildlife value, attracting a wide range of birds that use the tree for many purposes.
