American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
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 to 100 ft tall and 50 to 75 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun. Anthracnose.
medium to high water70 to 100 ft tall and 50 to 75 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: no rights reserved, uploaded by Andy Wilson
- Photo 3: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 9
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Rain gardens
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 70 to 100 ft tall and 50 to 75 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~75 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is American Sycamore good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, American Sycamore 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 get?
- It matures to about 70 to 100 ft tall and 50 to 75 ft wide.
- How much room does American Sycamore need?
- Give American Sycamore about 75 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does American Sycamore grow into?
- American Sycamore 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 hardy on the Front Range?
- American Sycamore is hardy in USDA 4 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- How fast does American Sycamore grow?
- American Sycamore is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does American Sycamore live?
- American Sycamore is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is American Sycamore native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
