Unique Features: An eastern native tree, the American Sycamore grows into an imposingly large tree and has a potential lifespan of 200+ years. It has a pyramidal shape when younger, eventually becoming more irregular with several major trunks. It has small, non-showy red to yellow flowers in the spring which mature into 1” diameter round seed capsules. The capsules are borne singularly and held on the tree until early spring when they disintegrate. The leaves are proportionally large, up to 10” across, and lobed similar to a maple leaf. The bark begins peeling off early, giving the trunk a mottled look of grey, tan, brown and olive green and eventually settling into a pale grey. The American Sycamore can be used in the place of a willow for a very wet site, and it is on the Parker Preferred Species list.