Planetree — American sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Planetree — American sycamore (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, and needs medium to high water. Anthracnose.
medium to high water70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide
Photos




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
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Good for
- rain garden
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil Chemistry
- Critical: Soil Texture
- Critical: Cold Hardiness
- Watch: Leaf Scorch
Frequently asked questions
- Is Planetree — American sycamore good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Planetree — American sycamore is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Planetree — American sycamore get?
- It matures to about 70–100 ft tall and 50–75 ft wide.
- How much water does Planetree — American sycamore need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- Is Planetree — American sycamore native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.