Plantanus occidentalis

Other name:  Buttonwood

Distribution

Throughout Eastern U.S.

General Description

The sapwood of sycamore is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light to dark brown.  The wood has a fine close texture with interlocked grain.  Contrasts well with other species.

Working Properties

The wood machines well, but high speed cutters are needed to prevent chipping.  It is resistant to splitting due to the interlocked grain.  The wood glues well and stains, with care, to an excellent finish.  It dries fairly rapidly, with a tendency to warp.  It has moderate shrinkage and little movement in performance.

Physical Properties

The wood is classified as moderate in weight, hardness, stiffness and shock resistance.  It turns well on the lathe and has good bending qualities.

Availability

Reasonable availability.

Main Uses

Furniture, furniture parts (drawer sides), millwork, paneling and moldings, flooring, kitchen ware, butchers block, toys and fruit crates.

Relative Abundance

Together, aspen, basswood, cottonwood, elm, gum, hackberry, sassafras, sycamore and willow represent 12.5 percent of commercially available U.S. hardwoods.