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SYCAMORE 



{Plutanus occidcntalis L.) 



THE sycamore, also called buttonwood, is con- 

 sidered the largest hardwood tree in North 

 America. It occurs throughout the State but is 

 most abundant and readies its largest size along 

 streams and on rich bottomhmds. It is one of the 

 more rapid-growing trees. In maturity it occasion- 

 ally attains a height of 140 to 170 feet and a diame- 



eter of 10 

 to 11 feet. 

 It often 

 forks into 

 several 

 large sec- 

 n d a r y 

 trunks, 

 and the 

 m a s s i ve 

 spread- 

 ing limb« 

 form an 

 open head 

 s ometimes 

 100 feet 

 across. 



The bark 

 of the .syc- 

 On the younger 

 trunk and large limbs it is very smooth, greenish 

 gray in color. The outer bark yearly flakes off in 

 large* patches and exposes the nearly white bark. 

 Near the base of old trees the bark becomes thick, 

 dark brown and divided by deep furrows. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, 4 to 7 inche& 

 long and about as broad, light green and smooth 

 above, and paler below. The base of the leafstalk is 

 hollow and in falling off exposes the winter bud. 

 The fruit is a ball about 1 inch in diameter, con- 

 spicuous throughout the winter as it hangs on its 

 flexible stem, which is 3 to 5 inches long. During 

 early spring the fruit ball breaks up, and the small 

 seeds are widely scattered by the wind. 



The wood is hard and moderately strong, but 

 decays rapidly in the ground. It is used for 

 butchers' blocks, tobacco boxes, furniture and in- 

 terior finish. 



The European sycamore, or planetree, is less sub- 

 ject to disea.se than our species and has been widely 

 planted m this country for ornament and shade. 



59 



SYCAMORE 



T-wig, one-hnlf Leaf, one-third 



natural size. natural size. 



amore is a characteristic feature. 



