Not only is this tree able to survive polluted air, it will grow in almost any type of soil, including both dry soils and areas frequently flooded. It has been developed to also resist the diseases that have led to problems with the plane tree in some cities.

Growing Bloodgood Sycamore Trees

The Bloodgood Sycamore is a large tree growing to 50 feet or more in height, if untrimmed. It has a spread of over 25 feet, and it should be planted in a position where it can mature with sufficient room for its development. Older trees may become significantly larger than this in time. Untrimmed trees develop a strong central leading trunk, with a relatively small number of very thick major branches. The leaves are large, up to twelve inches long, and with three large lobes, looking a little like a maple leaf. The leaf is colored a rich green, and it has an attractive glossy surface. In fall the leaves turn yellow. This tree also produces large seeds balls, which can be seen, especially in winter, hanging in clusters of two, three or four. These are an inch or so in diameter, with a spiny surface.

Appearance

The bark of the Bloodgood Sycamore is very striking and attractive. It is almost camouflage-like, with irregular patches ranging in color from near-white to olive-green, with many shades of brown and light gray too. From time to time older bark peels off in large pieces, revealing fresh, colorful bark beneath. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern. This process helps to clean the bark of pollutants, and it is part of the reason this tree grows so well in cities.

Uses on Your Property

Plant the Bloodgood Sycamore as a specimen tree in a large garden, especially if you are struggling with poor soil and poor drainage. It can be planted in dry areas, and once established it is very drought resistant. It also grows well along streams or beside lakes. This tree is always a top choice for difficult locations, but it is also an attractive tree for the foliage and bark, and it should be a top choice in any garden with sufficient room for its development.

Hardiness

The Bloodgood Sycamore will grow in almost any soil. Sand, loam or clay, acid or alkaline, compacted or stony, well-drained or often flooded – all kinds of soils are tolerated by this tree, which is a major reason for planting it in difficult locations anywhere. This tree has also been developed to resist leaf blight, anthracnose and twig canker. All these are serious diseases that can attack plane trees, so resistance is important to make sure your tree has a long, attractive and healthy life. This tree can be grown naturally, with little or no trimming, but it is often seen grown with regular hard trimming in winter back to a framework of large limbs. These ‘pollarded’ trees grow many small branches, and can be kept more compact.

History and Origins of the Bloodgood Sycamore Tree

The Bloodgood Sycamore is a selected form of the London plane tree, which has a long history. That tree is believed to be a hybrid between the Old-World Sycamore (Platanus orientalis) and the American Sycamore, or Buttonwood (Platanus occidentalis). The first of these, also called the Oriental Plane, grows all through Europe and as far as Iran, while the second grows throughout the eastern and central United States.

Perhaps as far back as 1670, in a botanical garden in England, a chance cross-pollination occurred, leading to a hybrid tree that combined the characteristics of the two trees, and which also produced seed that could be used to produce further plants. This may have happened more than once, producing a group of hybrid trees with tiny variations between them, all called Platanus x acerifolia. Among them is the London Plane tree, a tree growing all over that city and familiar to visitors. Similar trees are grown in France and Europe too, and all of them are renowned for their ability to survive in difficult urban conditions, in poor soil and polluted air.

In North America the London Plane Tree is used as a city tree, but often they were grown from seed, meaning that their appearance, habit of growth, vigor and resistance to disease is very variable. To overcome this problem, Bloodgood Nurseries – America’s oldest nursery, which was in Flushing, New York – studied a group of seedling London plane trees, and in the early 1970s they selected one for its outstanding glossy foliage, balanced and attractive shape, and most important of all, its resistance to disease. This selected tree was named after the nursery – ‘Bloodgood’ – and is widely known as the very best example of this tree to grow. Our trees are genetically identical to that original Bloodgood tree, and they are grown from stem pieces, not seed. This very desirable and tough tree is always in high demand, so order now while our stock lasts.

Note: The name ‘Bloodgood’ is also widely known as the name of the popular Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree, which has red leaves. That tree is named after the nursery, and not after the leaf color. The Bloodgood Sycamore has green leaves, not red ones.

American Sycamore can grow at an amazing rate when young and well cared for – six or even ten feet of growth per year has been seen, but the growth quickly slows down to around two feet a year. So, your young American Sycamore will very quickly grow into a small tree and then slow a little to mature at around 80 feet tall.

Growing American Sycamore Trees

American Sycamore is widely planted in urban areas as it will tolerate air pollution, road-salt and polluted soil better than almost any other tree. It will thrive in the tough conditions that will kill many other trees. Therefore it is an excellent choice for urban areas and is often seen as a handsome street tree. If you need screening from a highway or unsightly view, or if you are looking for a beautiful shade tree for your yard, American Sycamore is an excellent choice.

Soil Conditions

It does best in moist, deep soils, but will be happy in almost every soil except for very dry conditions. When young it should be watered regularly but once established it will survive and thrive in all but the driest weather. It will not tolerate extended periods of flooding.

Size and Appearance

American Sycamore grows into a large tree, up to 100 feet tall and 30 feet or more across when grown as a specimen. Planted among other trees it will grow a tall, straight trunk, but as a specimen forms a handsome broad crown of large branches. Its most striking feature is the mottled grey, brown and white park, with large pieces of bark falling from time to time to reveal fresh, white bark underneath. This is especially attractive in winter when trees are bare and the bark and twig-structure can be best appreciated outlined against a winter sky.

Pests, Diseases and Animals

It has no serious insect pests but if you live in an area with cool, damp springs you may sometimes see dying leaves on new growth from a fungus disease. If this happens regularly, try to rake up as many leaves as you can in the fall, as these carry the disease to the next spring. American Sycamore is almost never touched by deer, so even if you grow it as a screen you will be able to keep foliage close to the ground. When grown as a shade tree it will soon be above the grazing range of deer.

History and Origins of the American Sycamore

American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is also known as American Planetree, or Buttonwood. It is one of the dominant trees of the original virgin forest that covered eastern North America. Accounts from the early settlers speak of enormous trees – George Washington recorded seeing one in 1770 that was almost 45 feet around, or 14 feet across.

A mature American Sycamore makes a tall tree with a short trunk and several ascending branches. The crown is large and full with attractive maple-like leaves. The trunk will grow to a large diameter and the tree can live 300 years. Flowers are insignificant but are followed in fall by round seed-clusters which give the tree its alternative name of buttonwood.

Hardiness

American Sycamore grows best in Zones 4 to 9, so you can easily grow this tree right across America, outside of Florida, coastal California and the most northern states of the mid-west. It will do best in areas with warm springs and good rainfall. It will grow in almost any soil, but if you have very sandy soil it should be watered regularly, especially when young.

Sun Exposure

American Sycamore will tolerate some shade when young and will grow under faster-growing trees like Willows, eventually replacing them. As a specimen tree it is best grown in full sun so it develops a full crown and throws a large area of shade.

Pruning

This tree will tolerate even heavy pruning and can be grown as a screen as well as a specimen. It can be cut hard in winter and will quickly re-sprout and grow very rapidly – 6 feet a year or more – after pruning of well-established trees. For maximum growth-rate a tree fertilizer should be applied.

Planting as a Screen

When planting as screen they should be planted 6 to 10 feet apart. Allow at least 20 feet of clearance from the house and other structures. Dig a hole or a trench two or three times wider than the pot, but no deeper. Place your tree in the hole, replace most of the soil and firm it well down. Then water thoroughly and replace the rest of the soil, being careful not to cover the roots with any extra soil.

Buying American Sycamores at The Tree Center

American Sycamore is best grown from selected trees of good habit and disease resistance. Our trees are grown the correct way, from grafting branches from these special trees. That way every tree is identical to the original so they will produce a very uniform effect. However, these take longer to produce, so avoid cheaper, seedling trees that will only be a disappointment. Here at The Tree Center, we only sell trees that are true to the original form and we have a wide range of sizes to give you the best plant for your purpose. We are constantly renewing our stock so our customers get fresh, healthy plants. For this reason, supplies of this tree may be limited so order now to avoid disappointment.