162 



WOOD AND FOREST. 



53 



SYCAMORE. BUTTONWOOD. BUTTON BALI,. WATER BEECH. 



Sycamore, from two Greek words meaning fig and mulberry; buttonwood 

 and button-ball, refer to fruit balls. 



Platanus occidentalis Linnaeus. 



Platanus, refers to the broad leaves; occidentalis, western, to distinguish 

 it from European species. 



Habitat. 



Leaf. 



Habitat: (See map); 

 best in valley of lower 

 Ohio and Mississippi. 



Characteristics of the 

 Tree: Height, 70'-100', 

 and even 170'; diameter, 

 6'-12'; trunk, commonly 

 divides into 2 or 3 large 

 branches, limbs spreading, 

 often dividing angularly ; 

 bark, flakes off in great 

 irregular masses, leaving 

 mottled surface, greenish 

 gray and brown, this pe- 

 culiarity due to its rigid 

 texture; leaves, palmately 

 3 to 5 lobed, 4"-9" long, 

 petiole enlarged, enclosing 

 buds; fruit, large rough 

 balls, persistent through 

 winter. 



Appearance of Wood : 



Color, reddish brown, sap- 

 wood lighter ; diffuse- 

 porous; rings, marked by 



