SYCAMORE
(BUTTONWOOD)

The sycamore is easy to recognize at any season of the year because of the characteristic scaling and shedding of the old bark that exposes the clean, white, young bark. This gives the tree a mottled, untidy appearance, particularly on the upper trunk. In the winter after all the leaves have fallen, the one inch fruit balls remain, swinging from flexible stems that are two to three inches long. In early spring, the balls burst and disgorge seeds that sail on the winds with tiny parachutes.

The sycamore or buttonwood is generally considered the largest hardwood tree in North America. It grows to a height of 170 feet with a diameter in mature trees of up to twelve feet. A stalwart tree, it is seldom damaged by weather action.

The wood is reddish-brown, coarse grained and difficult to split. It is used for hatches, blocks, furniture and interior veneer.

The leaves are light green and shaped in a general way like that of a map]e tree. The base of the leaf stem is hollow, protecting the new tree buds until winter winds dislodge the leaves.

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