Fall

Winter

Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Season Virtual Tree Trail

Station Twelve - American Sycamore - Platanus occidentalis

 

The American sycamore is capable of assuming truly massive proportions, unrivaled by any other broad-leaved tree in America.  Individual trees 140 feet in height, with trunk diameters of 14 feet have been recorded.  It ranges over much of the eastern United States but is absent from the higher elevations in the Appalachians.

 

Habitat:  Along rivers and streams, moist bottomlands.

 

 
Station Twelve
   
 
  American Sycamore Leaf

Identification:  The leaves are alternate, simple and 5 inches to 8 inches long, green and shiny above, whitish and hairy below.  Venation is palmate.  The base of the petiole completely encloses the bud. 

 

 

 

 

   
 
American Sycamore Bark

 

The bark of the American Sycamore is quite distinctive and beautiful in all seasons.  The bark is reddish-brown to gray when young, and thin and flaky.  As the outer bark flakes off, it exposes the white or greenish inner bark.   

 

The twigs of the American Sycamore are brown to orange-brown, smooth and shiny.  The stipule scar encloses the bud.

 

 

Other Uses and Lore: 

John James Audubon once wrote about observing thousands of chimney swifts descending into a huge hollow sycamore to use it as a roost.  He returned early the following morning to watch them exit.  The swifts came pouring out in a black continuous stream that lasted more than thirty minutes.  Many other species of wildlife use the cavities in these trees, including many mammals.  Eastern screech owls roost and nest quite often in the cavities of sycamores found along streams.  The seeds were a favorite of the now extinct Carolina parakeet. 

 The wood’s spiral grain makes it difficult to split, and it is quite tough.  It has been used for butcher’s blocks, cigar boxes, shipping crates.  It has also been used in musical instruments and panels for Pullman cars in passenger trains.

 

 The Stones River

West Fork of the Stones River

While you're here, stop for a moment and take a look at the Stones River below Station Twelve.  The riparian habitat along the West Fork of the Stones River has many more American Sycamores.  Many species of birds frequent the brushy areas along the river.  You might also look carefully along the edges to see if you can spot a Northern Water Snake.  To return to the trailhead just retrace your steps.

   
Webmaster: Amanda Sherlin
The Center for Environmental Education is a branch of the MTSU Biology Department
Web Design, Imaging and Recordings © 2008 Bob English, Leaps