American sycamore Planetree
Platanus occidentalis
American sycamore Planetree (Platanus occidentalis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun. Anthracnose.
medium to high water70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide
Online from $4.75 at 1 retailerPhotos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Platanus occidentalis
- Variety / cultivar
- American sycamore
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~75 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
- Tolerates
- Rain gardens
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Critical: Soil TextureThe catch is drainage, not the dirt itself; it takes our clay only where water moves through, so avoid low spots and soggy ground.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Leaf ScorchIts leaf edges brown in hot, dry wind, so give it steady summer water and some shelter from the worst afternoon blast.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
Frequently asked questions
- Is American sycamore Planetree good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, American sycamore Planetree is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does American sycamore Planetree get?
- It matures to about 70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide.
- How much room does American sycamore Planetree need?
- Give American sycamore Planetree about 75 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does American sycamore Planetree grow into?
- American sycamore Planetree typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is American sycamore Planetree hardy on the Front Range?
- American sycamore Planetree is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does American sycamore Planetree need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- How fast does American sycamore Planetree grow?
- American sycamore Planetree is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does American sycamore Planetree live?
- American sycamore Planetree is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is American sycamore Planetree native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
