Sycamore, American

Botanical name: Platanus occidentalis

Other names: US: American sycomore, buttonwood, buttonball-tree, American planetree UK: American plane FR: platane DE: Platane VL: platanen NL: Amerikaans platanen

The heartwood of sycamore is reddish brown; the sapwood is light in color and from 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in.) wide. The wood has a fine texture and interlocked grain. It has high shrinkage in drying. It is moderately heavy, moderately hard, moderately stiff, moderately strong, and it has good shock resistance.

Sycamore is used principally for lumber, veneer, railroad crossties, slack cooperage, fence posts, and fuel. The lumber is used for furniture, boxes (particularly small food containers), pallets, flooring, handles, and butcher blocks. Veneer is used for fruit and vegetable baskets and some decorative panels and door skins.