The American planetree is also called sycamore, buttonwood and buttonball.

Mature Height/Spread: This tree can grow 75 to 100 feet with a similar or greater spread. Under ideal conditions it can attain heights of 175 feet and may have a trunk 10 to 14 feet in diameter.

Growth Rate: It grows at a moderate to rapid rate (2 feet per year) and is long-lived.

Ornamental Features: It is highly valued for its form and size, with its massive height and spread, huge trunk and large limbs. The growth rate rarely slows, and under ideal conditions this tree can become one of the most massive in Eastern North America. It usually develops one strong central trunk, but occasionally double leaders will develop.

The bark at the lower part of the trunk is red to gray-brown and scaly. The bark on the upper trunk peels in large flakes to expose smooth, lighter colored (white to creamy white) inner layers.

The leaves are cream-colored and wooly when they emerge in the spring. At maturity they are large, medium to dark green and are only wooly along the veins on the lower side. The fruit are seeds clustered into a round ball (1 inch) that hangs on a long, flexible stalk through most of the winter. They usually hang individually, but sometimes hang in pairs.

Landscape Use: The American planetree should be reserved for naturalized areas next to streams and rivers, or sites where litter and aggressive roots are not an issue. It needs ample space to develop.

This tree prefers deep, rich, moist, well-drained soils but will grow in almost anything. It grows in either high or low pH soils. Although it prefers moist soils, it tolerates moderate drought. It prefers sun or very light shade.

Problems: Anthracnose can be a serious problem in wet, cool springs. Bacterial leaf scorch, cankerstain, leafspot, canker and powdery mildew are other disease problems. Troublesome insects include aphids, sycamore plant bug, sycamore tussock moth, scales, borers and lacebugs.

Cultivars: There are no selections commercially available. When possible, select trees grown from parents native to your region.