Gardening Plant Encyclopedia Tree Sycamore By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 29, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Sycamore Overview Description From a centerpiece for native gardens to a well-behaved yet fast-growing shade tree, the sycamore offers many possibilities for the landscape. The American native sycamore grows best in a large, wild garden. Its trunk bark peels in large sheets, exposing pale color underneath that is visible from a distance, for winter interest. Sycamores produce spurred seedballs that persist on the tree through winter. They prefer a moist soil but will tolerate some drought, air pollution, and alkaline soil. Genus Name Platanus occidentalis Common Name Sycamore Plant Type Tree Light Part Sun, Sun Height 20 to 20 feet Width null to 70 feet Season Features Winter Interest Special Features Attracts Birds Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Drought Tolerant, Good For Privacy, Slope/Erosion Control Fall Tree Care Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit