American Sycamore is a stately, large shade tree reaching 70 to 90 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide. It starts out with a pyramidal habit, though the crown broadens as it matures. Large green leaves have 3 to 5 lobes, and turns yellow brown in fall. Red flowers appear in the spring but are not significant. The bark exfoliates and can be reddish brown or gray, and revels a creamy white inner bark. Fuzzy, rounded, tannish brown fruit appears singularly (distinguishing it from London Plane, which has fruits in pairs).
This large tree needs full sun and loamy, deep, well drained soil. It is best suited to parks or large areas. Requires regular, deep watering to flourish. Its leaves are slow to decompose.