Sycamore

The largest deciduous tree in the Eastern United States, Sycamore trees make handsome shade trees for large landscapes. The most striking feature of the tree is the bark that has a camouflage pattern composed of gray-brown outer bark that peels off in patches to reveal the light gray or white wood beneath. Sycamore trees grow in almost any soil, but they prefer deep, rich soil that is moist but well-drained. The sap of Platanus species makes a pleasant drink. It can be boiled down into syrup, but the sugar content of the sap is low, and the sap/syrup ratio is higher than for other syrup-producing trees. It is a great tree for attracting birds and using the wood for furniture parts.