Landscape Uses for a Sycamore Tree

Size

• Only the largest of landscapes will properly support the sycamore tree, because a typical specimen averages at least 75 feet tall, with many maturing past 100 feet high. This great size makes a sycamore a good option for planting in open public lands, such as parks or on campuses, where it has the room to grow unhindered. In a small yard, a sycamore --which may grow to maturity in as little as 20 years according to Floridata -- can quickly overwhelm everything with its spreading, large limbs, big trunk and comprehensive root system.

Shade Tree Potential

• The size of a sycamore, combined with its large leaves, make it a solid shade tree possibility for the right part of your property. The foliage is wide, developing to between 6 and 10 inches in both length and width, with the leaves on the younger shoots even bigger. This allows the tree to function as a shade species. The leaves, though, do not provide exceptional fall color, changing from shades of green to dull brown hues in the fall.

Ornamental Features

• The many attractive features of the sycamore make it an outstanding ornamental choice. The bark alone makes a sycamore stand out year round, as the older trees' bark peels away in strips to expose the colorful inner layers. The sycamore seems to possess a covering of camouflage on its trunk and large limbs from this effect. The large leaves and the hanging seed balls that are as wide as 1 inch also give the tree value. The seed balls appear round, composed of a myriad of seeds packed together to form a circular form. They hang on the tree well into the colder months, falling apart during late winter/early spring.

Potential Drawbacks

• The sycamore comes with no shortage of possible problems. The large limbs can come crashing down, since the wood is usually weak, making branches vulnerable to storms. The litter created by the falling leaves, twigs and seeds becomes a chore to clean up under the tree. Sycamores have a reputation for being very vulnerable to a disease called anthracnose. This fungal ailment kills the new foliage when springs feature prolonged periods of wet weather. The extensive roots can invade sewers, sidewalks and driveways if planted too close to these structures.