Tree of the Week: Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

There is one sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) in the arboretum collection, and it is pictured above, center. Jeff Trahan collected this specimen from C. Bickham Dickson Park, in south Shreveport. In October of 1996, the 4½ foot tree was initially planted in the grounds of the arboretum. It didn't stay in the ground long. Due to campus renovation projects, the young sycamore was dug up and potted in April of 1999. The following year, in April, it was replanted in the arboretum by Chris Martin, in celebration of Earth Day 2000. 

This is a tough tree! The photo above shows that it's fast-growing, too.

This week, the soft, light-colored, new leaves of the sycamore are of special interest.

The sycamore is a deciduous tree, so all of its leaves are new for the season, but the freshest leaves are pale green and feel like velvet.

This tiny, new leaf is almost white! Despite its small size, the little leaf has the characteristic sycamore leaf-shape: lobed, with incised edges, and slightly wider than it is long.

The larger, more mature leaves are soft and fuzzy, too. The top surface loses its fuzziness during the summer.

Underneath, leaves are covered in white fibers.

Sycamores have big leaves and long petioles. These leaves provide much appreciated shade on those sunny, summer days.

The leaf itself measures over 6 inches in length.

Sycamore leaves are slightly wider than they are long. This leaf measures more than 7 inches wide.

Toward the base of the trunk, the bark is dark, rough, and ridged.

By comparison, bark further up the trunk is thin and flaky. We expect to see more of the light-colored inner bark over the course of the summer.

Sources vary concerning the commonality of surface roots, but this particular sycamore has noticeable surface roots.

In this location of the arboretum, these roots aren't too much of a nuisance, but as you can see in the photo, this root has suffered damage, most likely from a mower.

Sycamore surface root

You can find more pictures of the arboretum's sycamore here.

For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours
University of Florida IFAS Extension