Young sycamore tree (American planetree)

Fast growing native tree

This young sycamore (aka American planetree, buttonwood, or buttonball) tree is growing along the road ditch near the bottom of a hill. In this spot, it receives ample moisture, and it is flourishing. Look how it is shooting out new leaves.

Sycamores grow very quickly. I've had personal experience with this. About ten years ago, we transplanted a sycamore seedling that sprang up in my garden. It has grown to at least 50 feet of height now, and its ultimate height and breadth will be as much as 100 feet. It likes the area where it is planted -- a section of our little acreage that is not well-drained.  A few inches of water sometimes stand there after heavy rains, and the soil stays "squishy" most of the winter and spring.

Fortunately, it doesn't really matter how well we mow around our sycamore. This sycamore, as is typical of the species, has a lot of roots along the surface of the soil. The long, protruding, root "branches" can be a problem in a well-groomed yard because they're difficult to mow across.

The extensive system of heavy surface roots helps the sycamore to "hang on" in wet areas where the soil sometimes turns muddy or is completely washed away -- such as the stream bank where a sycamore is clinging, in the photo below.

Sycamore's Latin name is Platanus occidentalis. It is found in most of the eastern U.S., and it can be easily recognized by its large leaves and its mottled and peeling white bark. Look for it along waterways.

I've written quite a lot about sycamores. If you're interested in them, be sure to click the "scyamore trees" label for more articles.