Sheffield's Seed Company Page

The American Sycamore, also known as Platanus occidentalis, is a majestic tree that can reach up to 50 meters in height and 4 meters in diameter. Its most distinctive feature is its mottled, exfoliating bark, which sheds irregularly to reveal greenish-white, gray, and brown inner layers. Native to the eastern half of the United States, it typically grows along streams in deep, rich soil, making it a popular choice for residential landscaping due to its fast growth and thick canopy. Its wood has been used extensively for furniture and interior finish of houses, as well as for butcher's blocks. Despite its popularity, it is not recommended for street use due to its massive size and vulnerability to anthracnose. While the sycamore can grow to massive proportions and is often divided near the ground into several secondary trunks, its bark and distinctive leaf buds, which grow enclosed in an enlargement of the petiole, make it a unique and recognizable addition to any landscape.