The American Sycamore is a massive deciduous tree with heavy, spreading, zig-zag branches. This tree is widespread in the eastern U.S., characteristically along stream margins and lake sides.

Commonly planted as a shade tree, it has a striking appearance: thin and flakey “camouflage” bark that is whitish and dappled with gray-green and tan. Its spherical fruits, while not particularly valuable for wildlife, persist through winter.

In primeval America, many of these trees were giants. In 1802, Michaux discovered one on the north bank of the Ohio River with a 46-foot circumference at 4 feet above the ground.

Images courtesy of:
University of Georgia
Sault College
Virginia Tech