GREAT AMERICANS: THE SYCAMORES
The Monday Garden, December 26, 2004, Issue 144
Eco-gardening at its best
The strange thing about sycamores is that they aren’t very human-friendly, yet we plant a lot of them. The trees get big, fast, and have spreading root systems. The extended roots do make them fairly wind-proof; the trunks won’t fall over on your house. However, the roots clog the sewer and heave the sidewalk, the branches interfere with utility lines, and large limbs drop in ice storms. The early spring flowers can rate a whopping 9 out of 10 on the bad allergens scale. Further, the tiny hairs on the seeds are harmful if inhaled, so, as much as boys love throwing the “itchy balls” at each other; it’s not the best idea – stick with the sweet gum’s “sticky balls”.
picture: planetree, Strawberry Hill Ave Stamford CT early summer 2004; note the maple-like leaves and the zig-zag branching.
Native sycamores aren’t even all that useful to wildlife either. Some of the seeds are eaten by some of the smaller birds (and, of course, squirrels). However, the seeds are usually spread by wind and water, and many other native plants provide much more food and shelter. Even the deer don’t like it much.
I think that we keep sycamores around, despite the draw backs, because they’re interesting, as well as majestic.