American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore is a distinctive North American hardwood known for its mottled, creamy appearance and interlocked grain. Often called Plane Tree or Buttonwood, it is valued for turnery, veneer, and furniture where its unique figure can be showcased. The wood is moderately dense and works well despite occasional grain challenges.
Botanical Profile
Platanus occidentalis is a large deciduous tree native to eastern North America, typically reaching 30-40 meters in height with trunks up to 2 meters in diameter. It thrives in bottomlands and riparian areas, often recognized by its distinctive flaking bark that reveals cream and tan patches.
Physical Properties
The heartwood is light reddish-brown while sapwood is cream to light gray. Average dried weight is approximately 540 kg/m³ with a Janka hardness of 770 lbf. The interlocked grain produces a distinctive ray figure when quartersawn. Specific gravity is 0.49.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Moderate - interlocked grain can dull cutting edges
Gluing Advice
Good gluing properties with most adhesives
Finishing
Takes stains and finishes well, can produce attractive figure
Steam Bending
Fair - interlocked grain can complicate steam bending
Historical Context
American Sycamore has been used since colonial times for furniture, crates, and barrel staves. Native Americans used the wood for dugout canoes. Its distinctive mottled figure made it popular for veneer in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it remains a favorite for butcher blocks and turnery.
Technical Specs
Sustainable with proper forest management, widely available