American sycamore Totally Explained

Everything about The American Sycamore totally explained

The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), also known as American plane, Occidental plane, and Buttonwood, is one of the species of Platanus native to North America. It is usually called Sycamore in North America, a name which can also refer to other types of tree.

Description

A sycamore tree is easily recognized by its mottled exfoliating bark. The bark of all trees has to yield to a growing trunk; in the case of trees such as the Silver Maple and the Shagbark Hickory the process isn't hidden, but the Sycamore shows the process of exfoliation more openly than any other tree. The bark of the trunk and larger limbs flakes off in great irregular masses, leaving the surface mottled, and greenish-white, gray and brown. Sometimes the smaller limbs look as if whitewashed. The explanation is found in the rigid texture of the bark tissue, which entirely lacks the expansive power common to the bark of other trees, so it's incapable of stretching to accommodate the growth of the wood underneath and the tree sloughs it off.
   A sycamore can grow to massive proportions, typically reaching up to 30 to 40 meters (about 98' to 131') high and 1.5 to 2 meters (about 4'11" to 6'6") in diameter when left to grow in deep soils. At its tallest, the species has been measured to 51 meters (about 167'), and at its largest, it has been measured to nearly 4 meters (about 13'1") in diameter. Historical specimens over 5 meters (about 16'5") thick have been reported, but verifying the accuracy of these early accounts is seldom possible.
   The sycamore tree is often divided near the ground into several secondary trunks, very free from branches. Spreading limbs at the top make an irregular, open head. Roots are fibrous. The trunks of large trees are often hollow.
   Another peculiarity is the way the leaves grow sticky, green buds. In early August, most trees in general will have--nestled in the axils of their leaves--the tiny forming bud which will produce the leaves of the coming year. The sycamore branch apparently has no such buds. Instead there's an enlargement of the petiole which encloses the bud in a tight-fitting case at the base of the petiole., and is sold as far south as Okeechobee. The American Sycamore is also well adapted to life in Australia and is quite widespread across the Australian continent especially in the cooler southern States eg. Victoria and New South Wales. It also has camouflage colored bark with very fine details on it.

Cultivation

The sycamore is able to endure a big city environment and has been extensively planted as a shade tree. It bears transplanting well and grows rapidly.

Propagation and pests

The American sycamore is a favored food plant of the pest sycamore leaf beetle.

Diseases

American sycamore is susceptible to Plane anthracnose disease (Apiognomonia veneta, syn. Gnomonia platani), an introduced fungus naturally found on the Oriental plane P. orientalis, which has evolved considerable resistance to the disease. Although rarely killed or even seriously harmed, American sycamore is commonly partially defoliated by the disease, rendering it unsightly as a specimen tree.
The disease makes its appearance soon after the leaves have expanded, appearing in the form of small black spots which lie close to the veins. As a result, the half grown leaves turn brown, shrivel, and fall. It is very common in early July to see these trees putting forth their second crop of leaves while the first hang brown, dead, and unsighly on the ends of the branches. This greatly shortens the effective growing season for the plant. As a result of the fungus' damage, American sycamore isn't often planted; the more resistant London plane (P. x hispanica; hybrid P. occidentalis x P. orientalis) being preferred instead.

History

The terms under which the New York Stock Exchange was formed is called the Buttonwood Agreement, because it was signed under a Buttonwood tree.
Sycamore made up a large part of the forests of Greenland and Arctic America during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. It once grew abundantly in central Europe, from where it has now disappeared.Further Information

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