How to Grow Sycamores
Sycamores are trees in the Platanus genus, which contains about 10 species. The name "sycamore" typically refers specifically to the American sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis. Sycamores grow wild throughout the eastern United States, and they are also a common ornamental tree in urban settings. Sycamore trees can get reach 100 feet in height, and the trunk can attain a diameter greater than 10 feet. They are hardy in temperate climates once established, and can be grown readily from seed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check that your climate is right for sycamores. Sycamore trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, meaning this tree grows best in areas where the lowest temperature of the year is between minus 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Select a planting site with full sun or partial shade. The soil should be rich, although sycamores can tolerate poor soil. Clear the planting site of all vegetation within 30 feet.
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Collect the seed pods from a sycamore tree in the fall when they turn brown. Allow them to dry for up to two weeks until they break open easily, and extract the seeds from the seed pods. Remove the hairs from the sycamore seeds by rubbing them against a wire screen.
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Fill a medium planting pot with a general-purpose potting soil. Place the sycamore seeds on top of the soil, separating them by about 2 inches. Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch of soil. Keep the pots at room temperature and water the soil regularly to keep it from drying out. The seeds should germinate in about 2 weeks.
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Transplant the sycamore saplings to the permanent planting site when they are at least 6 inches tall. Water the saplings regularly to keep the soil moist. The soil should have good drainage, although a sycamore tree can tolerate soil with poor drainage. The tree should not require special maintenance after the first growing season outside.
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