American plane tree

The American plane tree, also known as sycamore or buttonwood, belongs to the genus Platanus. These large trees are native to North America, Europe, and Asia and are recognized by their scaling bark, large deciduous leaves, and round flower and seed heads.1

The American plane tree (P. occidentalis) is the tallest species, sometimes exceeding 50 meters (160 feet). Its seed clusters are smooth, ball-shaped, and often remain on the tree after the leaves have fallen. The London plane (P. acerifolia), a hybrid of the American and Oriental planes, is widely planted in cities due to its resistance to air pollution and disease. Plane trees grow quickly, providing ample shade, and are notable for their distinctive patchy bark that reveals inner layers of white, gray, green, and yellow as it flakes off.1