Plant Finder

Other Names:  Western Sycamore, Planetree

Description:

A vigorous, special selection, presenting large, lobed and pointed leaves and superior, patchy white mottled bark; a great shade tree for larger landscapes; tolerant of heat and wind; very resistant to disease; salt and drought tolerant once established

Ornamental Features

Roberts™ California Sycamore has rich green foliage with grayish green undersides on a tree with an oval habit of growth. The large serrated lobed leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall. The mottled white bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Roberts™ California Sycamore is a deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Roberts™ California Sycamore is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Roberts™ California Sycamore will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant will benefit from an application of bonemeal and/or mycorrhizal fertilizer at the time of planting. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.