Platanus occidentalis

• BOTANICAL NAME: Platanus occidentalis
• COMMON NAME: American Planetree
• FAMILY: Platanaceae
• NATIVITY: Found throughout the Eastern US; Main to Florida west to Minnesota
• GROWTH HABIT: 75-100’ (150’)
• HARDINESS:  USDA Zone 4 to 9
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Grows best in well-drained, moist soils, usually found growing in bottomlands or along riverbanks.  Prefers full sun.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Seral
• FACULTATIVE STATUS:  Facultative Wetland
• LANDSCAPE VALUE:  This is an excellent specimen, greatly admired for how large and spreading it is; also the exfoliating bark is a prized characteristic.  Used in residential areas and grows well in wet soils.  However, this can be a nuisance because of the constant tree litter.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, simple, truncate or cordate, serrated or toothed along the ridge, often resembles a Maple tree leaf.
• BUDS:  Acute and pointed, the leaf scars encircle the bud.
• BARK:  Exfoliating; older trunks are white with mottled brown and black flakes falling off.
• FRUIT:  Hanging balls that are somewhat spiky, but not as spiky as American Sweetgum.  
• PESTS:  Anthracnose, leaf spots, and Sycamore tussock moth