North American Sycamore Research Paper

The North American Sycamore Tree
Thomas E. Skeels
ENG121
Instructor: Ms. Laloni
July 28th 2013

What can grow one hundred sixty seven feet tall with a diameter of thirteen feet, and can be found in the North America, Europe, and the Middle East? The Sycamore tree. However I will discuss the North American Sycamore species. It is a big and hardy tree with big strong curvy branches, broad top, with big ovate shaped leaves.
The Platanus occidentalis, also known as American Sycamore, is one of the species of Platanus. There is a noticeable difference with a Sycamore compared to other trees in the wetlands. The North American Sycamore most common growing areas are in the riparian or wetlands, primarily around rivers and streams. However
The bark is coarse, split, and peeling in oblong shreds, dark brown with a hint of red; revealing a smooth grayish white bark. The splitting of the bark is caused by the growth of the tree, the bark has no elasticity, hence causing the splitting of the bark. Some species of wood duck use the bark to build their nest with.
A Sycamore tree can reach massive heights of ninety eight to one hundred sixty seven feet tall and thirteen feet in diameter. The largest Sycamore I have seen is one hundred feet tall and six feet in diameter in the low lands of the River Raisin.
The North American Sycamore has a long straight trunk, large crooked branches spreading wide at the top. The buds of the Sycamore are oddly unusual in that they grow sticky from its buds. The leaves are hand shaped resembling the Maple Leaf, however they are much bigger growing four to eight inches wide with three to five fingers, and the edge being jagged, with the top of the leaf sunny green in color and the bottom of the leaf is a soft
The leaves fall off in late fall revealing striking long curvy grayish white branches.
Commonly Sycamore trees are planted along rivers, as they help to control erosion. Other common places are along the side of roads and in yards as the Sycamore trees makes for great shaded areas with its tall expansive spanning tops.
Other common names of the North American Sycamore tree. The buttonball Tree is primarily located in North Eastern United States, which is said to be the largest trees in Sunderland, Massachusetts. The Pinchot Sycamore tree located in Connecticut in which is the largest tree in the state.
The North American Sycamore tree is a beautiful tree with its spectacular colors in all seasons. With the broad branch structure and large leaf, this tree makes a great shade tree. The North American Sycamore prefers the wetlands for its rich moist soils, however is adaptable to live in populated areas do to its pollution resistance, and grows very