California sycamore. Found naturally along streams and rivers, this tree has long marked the course of water in the California landscape, and still does today in undisturbed riparian corridors. A fast-growing, deciduous tree, 50-100’ tall by 30-50’ wide, it is usually smaller in a garden setting. The twisting, picturesque trunk often divides into multiple spreading or leaning secondary trunks, and the peeling, silvery bark flakes off in uneven patches to reveal decorative mottling in tans, browns, and greens. Large, lobed, papery leaves open a pale, lime-green in spring and develop a bronzy, slightly wooly undersurface with age. The fuzzy hairs can irritate eyes and throats when crushed underfoot or brushed against, especially during hot, dry California summers. In fall, as the evenings cool, the maple-like leaves take on rich golden and russet hues, casting a honey-colored light into the understory. Best grown with moderate to high amounts of water, sycamores will tolerate alkaline soil, high temperatures, wind and even moderate amounts of shade. Tenacious, stately and long-lived they are especially effective on the banks of intermittent or permanent streams, and in moist swales and arroyos. Hardy to 10F. California, from the upper reaches of the Sacramento River, south to San Diego.
