Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Common forest trees of North Carolina

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  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-9720.jpg
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  • IEST TREES -e>-#ggp<si>- SYCAMORE (Platanus occidentalis L.) THE sycamore, also called buttonwood, is considered the largest hardwood tree in North America. It occurs throughout the State but is most abundant and reaches its largest size along streams and on rich bottomlands. It is one of the more rapid-growing trees. In maturity it occasionally attains a height of 140 to 170 feet and a diame- SYCAMORE Leaf, one-third natural size. Twig one-half natural size. ter of 10 to 11 feet. It often forks into several large secondary trunks, and the massive spreading limbs form an open head sometimes 100 feet across. The bark of the sycamore is a characteristic feature. On the younger trunk and large limbs it is very smooth, greenish gray in color. The outer bark yearly flakes off in large patches and exposes the nearly white younger bark. Near the base of old trees the bark becomes thick, dark brown and divided by deep furrows. The leaves are simple, alternate, 4 to 7 inches long and about as broad, light green and smooth above, and paler below. The base of the leafstalk is hollow and in falling off exposes the winter bud. The fruit is a ball about 1 inch in diameter, conspicuous throughout the winter as it hangs on its flexible stem, which is 3 to 5 inches long. During early spring the fruit ball breaks up, and the small seeds are widely scattered by the wind. The wood is hard and moderately strong, but decays rapidly in the ground. It is used for butchers' blocks, tobacco boxes, furniture and interior finish. The European sycamore, or planetree, is less subject to disease than our species and has been widely planted in this country for ornament and shade. 58
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