January 5, 2007
Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis
Many people love the knobby branches and mottled bark of the Sycamore. In the winter, numerous one-inch diameter balls can be seen hanging like Christmas ornaments from the twigs of mature trees. Later in the winter the balls will disintegrate, each one releasing hundreds of small seeds that may be eaten by birds and other wildlife or may land in places where they can grow. Pictured is a horizontal branch on a large tree growing on the golf course.