American sycamore

Platanus occidentalis L.

Family: Platanaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

No hazard route is stated for this plant in the sources cited; absence is not a safety clearance.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA has no page for this species. Do not treat it as safe for pets.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 4B through 9A (UF/IFAS); 4a through 9b (NC State)
Light: Full sun per UF/IFAS and NC State.
Water needs: moderate moderate is a plain-language reading of two sources that pull apart: UF/IFAS lists drought tolerance as high but says the tree is best on moist soils that do not dry out and needs some irrigation in drought; NC State says moist, well-drained soil with occasional flooding tolerated. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: UF/IFAS: 75-90 ft tall, 50-70 ft spread, fast growth. NC State: 75-100 ft tall and as wide, trunk 10 ft or more across

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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