White Oak vs American Sycamore - TreeTime.ca

White Oak vs American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Quercus alba

American Sycamore
White Oak

American Sycamore is the largest tree native to eastern North America. Generally too large and messy to be a street tree, American Sycamore thrives in large, open spaces, such as an acreage or farm.

The bark is one of the main features that draw people to this tree. The outer bark flakes off in irregular pieces to reveal an attractive white, green, and cream colored inner layer, providing winter interest.

American Sycamore has an extremely fast growth rate, gaining up to 6 ft in one year, and will easily reach its mature height in a short period of time. Be wary of this trees' root system, as it's typically very extensive and needs lots of room to expand.

White Oak is large, long-lived tree with an irregular trunk divided into spreading, often horizontal, stout branches. A highly adaptable tree, White Oak features green acorns and beautiful green leaves that turn red-purple in the fall.

With a huge growth in bourbon and scotch over the past few decades there is an emerging shortage of white oak that is the primary tree used for cask barrels and aging.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

American Sycamore Quick Facts

White Oak Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 4a
Height: 23 m (75 ft)
Height: 30 m (98 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dark red
Nuts: acorns
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none