Sycamore Tree Identification
The sycamore tree, especially when bare in the winter, resembles a huge camouflaged soldier; mottled bark and massive size are two of its key characteristics. Does this Spark an idea?
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Geography
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American sycamores grow in the eastern half of the U.S., from central New England south to northern Florida and as far west as the Missouri River. Arizona sycamores extend from Arizona south into northern portions of Mexico, while California sycamores are limited to California.
Size
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The American sycamore can grow to 100 feet, while the Arizona and California varieties may surpass 90 feet; the trunk, up to 10 feet wide in an American sycamore, is the largest in terms of circumference and volume in the eastern part of the nation.
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Leaves
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Sycamores are deciduous, shedding their leaves in winter. The leaves of an American sycamore are 4 to 8 inches wide, while the Arizona and California have larger leaves of 6 to 10 inches across.
Bark
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Sycamore bark ranges from white to a combination of gray, green, brown and white. In the winter months, the sun often reflects off the white branches.
Considerations
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Sycamores do well in moist soil, and frequently grow along rivers, streams and other bodies of water.
Buttonballs
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The sycamore has both female and male flowers on the same tree; these produce a hanging fruit commonly called a buttonball.
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