Flowering TreesAmerican Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a fast-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 4-9, that matures to about 75-100 ft × 75-100 ft. It does best in full sun with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect yellow, green and red blooms in spring. It attracts small mammals and songbirds, stands up well to black walnut, deer and drought.
- USDA zones
- 4-9
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- High
- Mature size
- 75-100 ft × 75-100 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet
- Bloom color
- Yellow, Green, Red
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Attracts
- Small mammals, Songbirds
- Tough against
- Black walnut, Deer, Drought, Pollution, Wet soil
- Native to
- Southeastern United States
In the landscape
Data sources
Freeze survival
Will it survive your winters?
Hardiness zones show a normal bad winter. We check the worst one — American Sycamore is hardy to about -30°F (estimated from USDA zone 4), so we'll score it against the real coldest nights your area has actually had.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
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