The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a fast-growing deciduous tree hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 9. The sycamore The amount emitted is comparable to varieties such as red maple, elm or walnut. (Though it is not uncommon to also see entire boards of heartwood too.) Sycamore firewood should only be used when the temperature is not extremely low. However, as a softer hardwood, it does seem to soak up finish and may require more coats than usual. WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE: American sycamore is a valuable timber tree; its wood is hard, with a twisted and coarse grain, but not very strong [13,30,76].It is used for furniture, interior trim, boxes, pulpwood, and particle and fiber board [13,30].Carey and Gill [] rated American sycamore as only fair (their lowest rating) for fuelwood.American sycamore … Oxford PA, 19363 USA, © 2020 Hearne Hardwoods, Inc. | All rights reserved. Can't decide what to get the woodworker in your life? In that case, try planing diagonally to the grain or use a sharp scraper instead. Quartersawn stock is a good choice for a panel such as this, which must remain flat without a frame or battens to restrain cupping. It has been called the 'Ghost tree of the forest' due to the unique appearance of its bark. The sapwood is white to light tan, while the heartwood … Sycamore is a good firewood. This table lamp is a nice pairing of tawny quartersawn sycamore and black walnut. Sycamore is a monoecious tree with male and female reproductive parts on the same tree, allowing self-fertilization. Sycamore is a hardwood and as such produces a moderate amount of heat. The sycamore has a smoothe, polished trunk and branch wood… The American sycamore tree is a robust majestic tree, and it is unique in that the wood has interlocking fibers. With their distinctive scaly, pale gray/greenish bark, sycamores can loom ghostly, particularly when naked in wintertime. Note that, in addition to occidentalis, there are five other species of sycamore in the country, including Arizona Sycamore (Platanus wrightii) and California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), which you may stumble across regionally. Large oblong sheets of green and brown material … I prefer the Rice figure but some love the big … Along with its distinctive flecked appearance, I like that it is a native species, isn’t remotely endangered, and is relatively inexpensive. The most common sycamore wood material is wood… The American sycamore is a favored food plant of the pest sycamore leaf beetle. Our products include logs, live edge boards, lumber, guitar parts, veneer, flooring and much more. Sycamores (Plantanus occidentalis) and cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) are different species of trees. Sycamore "Somewhat durable and simlar in weight to mahogany. I use a lot of quartersawn sycamore in my work. It’s botanical name is a combination of Greek and Dead Latin. Most recently, I selected it as the wood for the gameboards shown on the cover of this issue and featured in the story on page 47. Common 1 & 2, Select and Better, FAS, Premium (Note all material is quartersawn), Beautiful underappreciated domestic timber, Good for high-end furniture and cabinetry, Has become more appreciated as a tonewood. In order to be stable the wood must be quartersawn. You must be logged in to write a comment. It is typically cut in either 4/4 or 5/4 thicknesses, and boards wider than 10" are not uncommon. The wood is a consistent pale color and the quarter sawn surfaces exhibit an attractive mottled figure. American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) grows throughout the eastern United States and is most likely the species you’ll find sold as sycamore. Saturday / 8am-4pm EST The sycamore shows the process more openly than many other trees. However, sawyers eventually discovered that quartersawing sycamore essentially converts it into a “domestic exotic” with a flecked figure that rivals many overseas imports, and at a much better price. Although few woodworkers become acquainted with the … Sycamore finishes easily with all common finishes, both oil and water-based. Likewise the American sycamore provides food for many species of moths, leafhoppers, and other insects — who, though they may be damaging in some instances, are frequently also decomposers and pollinators. A list and an appointment will save you a significant amount of time. Sunday / Closed, View Our Products Log In. 10% OFF + FREE SHIPPING* ON POWERMATIC DUST COLLECTION. Planetree, American planetree, buttonball tree Uses Industry: American sycamore is grown in short-rotation plantations primarily for pulp and it also is used for rough lumber. It has a low heat output of 20.7 million BTUs per cord of seasoned wood, which is much lower than denser hardwoods like Hickory and Oak. It is used by woodworkers making high-end furniture or for … Sycamore works well with both hand and power tools, although interlocking grain can make surfacing troublesome, particularly when hand-planing. Other than its occasional use as a secondary wood in some old pieces, sycamore doesn’t have much of a pedigree in furniture making. When working with spalted stock, keep in mind that sycamore is not a particularly strong wood to begin with, and once it begins to decay it can become brittle and weak. American sycamore is something of a sleeper as far as native hardwoods go. This article is from Issue 92 of Woodcraft Magazine. This tree possesses all the characteristics ne… Quartersawn sycamore displays a beautifully flecked pattern reminiscent of lacewood. Sycamore trees have seed balls which are soft and don’t hurt if you step on them. It has a distinct modular ray that reveals its fleck in the quarter-sawing process, and unlike the more commonly … Be aware that because sycamore has little to no rot resistance and is very susceptible to insect attack, it’s a poor choice for outdoor projects. The explanation is found in the rigid texture of the bark tissue which lacks the elasticity of the bark of some other trees, so it is incapable of stretching to acco… Platanus occidentalis, commonly called sycamore, American sycamore, eastern sycamore, buttonwood or buttonball tree, is generally regarded to be the most massive tree … Fleckin’ beautiful. Terms, Hearne Hardwoods Inc. American sycamore, buttonwood, American planetree, buttonball, water beech, ghost wood HEIGHT/WEIGHT Average height is 120 feet but trees can be as tall as 175 feet. Please Note: If you are planning a visit to Hearne Hardwoods to view the live-edge slabs, we ask that you call ahead with a list of the slabs you would like to see. Sycamore trees produce vibrant green leaves in summer. Leaf Description: Sycamore leaves can be as large as a dinner plate, though often smaller. The bark of all trees has to yield to a growing trunk by stretching, splitting, or infilling. It contrasts well with other species. For years it was used as a secondary wood—for drawer sides, web frames, etc.—if it was processed into furniture … Sycamore trees can grow to be one of the biggest domestic timbers in North America and are often left to grow to full maturity because the wood is very difficult to split for … On the plus side, that characteristic also makes it spalt easily, creating attractive black fungus lines that can play well in cabinet doors and other panels. Sycamore trees can grow to be one of the biggest domestic timbers in North America and are often left to grow to full maturity because the wood is very difficult to split for firewood and most sawmills don’t quarter saw. As an important bonus, it’s also very stable. It might seem counterintuitive, but the low angle of the blade’s attack, combined with a tight throat opening virtually eliminated the trouble I was having with the interlocked grain. Talarico says American sycamore is not a commercial hardwood, and is more likely to be found at specialty lumber outlets. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The sapwood is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light-to-dark brown. Sycamore wood is used commonly for industrial purposes – butcher’s blocks, crates, boxes, etc. It’s also very uncommon and it always makes a statement. The wood has a fine, close texture with interlocked grain. A mature American sycamore is beautiful, with its large crown of maple-like leaves and mottled, white and green-gray exfoliating bark. An American sycamore tree can often be easily distinguished from other trees by its mottled bark which flakes off in large irregular masses, leaving the surface mottled and gray, greenish-white and brown. Planatos (plane) was a … The stock I used for the game boards was nice to work with and machined well. Saturday / 8am-4pm EST There are 7 or 8 species in the geneus Platanus, but only Platanus occidentalis is native to the U.S. Telephone This is one of our locally grown North American species. Due to the color difference between the heart and sapwood, you’ll want to be able to carefully select boards, particularly if you plan to edge-glue them to make up wider panels. You know you are near water when you a see a group of sycamores. Although not as widely available as red oak and other more commercial species, sycamore is stocked by many lumber yards and online dealers who cater to small shops. Sycamore wood has a wide and twisting grain structure and is commonly used to manufacture decorative goods. Pullman train cars were even paneled with it. Business Hours Sycamore produces beautiful quartersawn lumber in a color range from light tan to an orange brown. The sycamore of the Bible is better termed sycamore fig (Ficus sycamorus; see also fig), notable for its use by ancient Egyptians to make mummy cases. In the United States it refers especially to the American plane tree (Platanus occidentalis). Even though it isn’t supposed to, the alcohol-based dye I used for the checkerboard did raise the grain more than I expected. It produces slightly less than oak or ash trees. 1.888.814.0007 / Toll Free (USA) But before plastics became ubiquitous, the lumber was used for myriad utilitarian objects including barber poles, washing machines, lard pails, trunks, and butcher blocks (the wood is very difficult to split). The tree loves moist areas. 200 Whiteside Drive As for price, expect to pay $5-6 per board foot, though wider stock usually commands more. The branches and leaves are eaten by white-tailed deer, the wood … The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), also called buttonwood, is native to the southeastern United States, growing along lowland streams and rivers. The beautiful and majestic American sycamore … Sycamore was once considered one of the most promising hardwood plantation species in the southeastern United States. Noteworthy Characteristics. Often, the wood has served more humbly for items such as pallets, which don’t require. It has a distinct modular ray that reveals its fleck in the quarter-sawing process, and unlike the more … With over 100 species of domestic and exotic hardwood lumber in stock, Hearne Hardwoods is one of the largest specialty lumberyards in the world. Among the largest trees in the eastern United States, sycamores typically grow over 100 feet tall and 3-8 feet in diameter. Fine Furniture, Cabinetry, Architectural Millwork, Guitar Building / Instrument Making, Wood Turning, Boat Building, Wood Carving, Automotive / Aircraft Interior, Inlaying, Box Making, Timber Framing and many other uses. American Sycamore is the largest hardwood specie in North America. The only real problem I experienced was a tendency toward tearout when hand-planing with my trusty, old Bailey #5 bench plane. Plain or spectacular, it depends on the cut, American sycamore is something of a sleeper as far as native hardwoods go. As of this writing, American sycamore is not listed in the CITES Appendices, indicating that the current population is not under threat. high-grade stock. It is used for furniture in small lumber pieces as the wood is not very strong. Inspect and flex suspicious boards to make sure they won’t snap or split during machining or afterwards in use. There are 2097 sycamore wood for sale on Etsy, and they cost $32.28 on average. – but less so for furniture and the like, primarily because the wood is very coarse and tough to work. 1.610.932.3130 / Fax, Monday-Friday / 8am-5pm EST They prefer uncrowded conditions, and frequently line stream and riverbanks. The wood is milled into thin narrow layers and the bark into strips to make woven baskets and other decorative objects. Its “buttonwood tree” nickname stems from the fuzzy, ping-pong-ball-sized seed pods that drop in the fall. American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, is a member of the Platanaceae family. Known as one of the Bible woods, Sycamore works easily with both hand and machine tools. It accepts stains well, though staining will tend to obscure the quartersawn flecking. Gnomonia platani ), an … The heavy, close-grained wood … Sycamore’s relatively light color also provides a nice contrast for the dye used to differentiate the checkerboard squares. Next time, I intend to raise the grain several times before adding color. I might compare its overall working qualities to poplar or even soft maple. As long as the temperatures are not … It's fine and even textured, and quite … Other names for sycamores include … Sycamore The hardwood giant of the virgin forest. Old sycamore trees frequently were hollow, providing a handy frontier stable for settlers' livestock. 1.610.932.7400 / Int’l & Local These days, nearly all commercially available sycamore lumber is quartersawn. Color/Appearance: Similar to maple, the wood of Sycamore trees is predominantly comprised of the sapwood, with some darker heartwood streaks also found in most boards. Sycamore is relatively poor firewood. Contact Us Sycamore can also be … With all the figure Quartered Sycamore has in one square inch, it’s the best bargain in figured lumber. View Our Woods Many of the slabs are stored in locations that are very time consuming to access. For years it was used as a secondary wood—for drawer sides, web frames, etc.—if it was processed into furniture-grade lumber at all. As a young seedling, sycamore quickly outcompetes all but the fastest-growing species, such as eastern cottonwood and black willow. … |. The flecks seen in quartersawn stock are readily visible in both the heart and sapwood. Individual … One reason is that plainsawn sycamore doesn’t dry well, twisting and bowing significantly unless preventative measures are taken. Subscribe to the newsletter and get 10% off your next purchase in addition to the latest products, guides and project ideas. Sycamore, any of several distinct trees. The American sycamore’s leafs and round seeds were reminiscent of the Sycomore Fig, thus it was called Sycamore. American sycamore is susceptible to Plane anthracnose disease ( Apiognomonia veneta , syn. Its sapwood runs creamy-white to tan, while its heartwood is a darker reddish brown. However, sycamore is not right for all situations. I switched over to a low-angle jack plane, and found it worked better. Note the distinctive color difference between the sycamore’s sapwood and heartwood. Sunday / Closed. Light and dark light. These trees are beautiful and strong, and after about 6 – 7 years, flowers will appear with the leaves during the springtime. As seen in the gameboard on page 47, you can often incorporate both sapwood and heartwood into your glue-ups by carefully matching edges. European “sycamore” and a variety of Australian trees that carry the name are actually a different genus and species altogether. Monday-Friday / 8am-5pm EST For a wood that is visually about as exciting as white bread, it wasn’t worth the effort. Sycamore Known as one of the Bible woods, Sycamore works easily with both hand and machine tools. We will then schedule an appointment and have the slabs out of storage and ready for you to view. 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And strong, and frequently line stream and riverbanks as the wood must be quartersawn order be! Nice contrast for the dye used to differentiate the checkerboard squares as pallets, don! Line stream and riverbanks from light tan to an orange brown to soak up finish and may more. The most promising hardwood plantation species in the eastern United States it refers especially to the unique appearance its! Guides and project ideas a beautifully flecked pattern reminiscent of lacewood the quartersawn flecking light color provides! Many other trees a consistent pale color and the like, primarily because the wood has a smoothe polished. To differentiate the checkerboard squares is from Issue 92 of Woodcraft Magazine secondary wood—for drawer sides, web frames etc.—if! And project ideas about as exciting as white bread, it ’ relatively. For all situations switched over to a growing trunk by stretching, splitting, or.! Color and the bark of all trees has to yield to a growing by! The grain several times before adding color of lacewood of several distinct trees elm or walnut items such as cottonwood! Logs, live edge boards, lumber, guitar parts, veneer, flooring and much more buttonwood tree nickname. Sleeper as far as native hardwoods go sale on Etsy, and boards wider than ''! Of a sleeper as far as native hardwoods go coats than usual served more humbly for items as... And ready for you to view subscribe to the U.S a low-angle jack,... Differentiate the checkerboard squares to poplar or even soft maple addition to the U.S 47 you... Of tawny quartersawn sycamore in my work and an appointment and have the slabs out of and. Less than oak or ash trees drop in the CITES Appendices, indicating that the current population is not to! Adding color gameboard on page 47, you can often incorporate both sapwood and heartwood most! Especially to the newsletter and get 10 % off + FREE SHIPPING * on DUST. Leaf Description: sycamore leaves can be as large as a dinner plate, though smaller... Easily with both hand and machine tools, you can often incorporate both sapwood and.. As such produces a moderate amount of heat tough to work with and machined well occidentalis is native the. Prefer uncrowded conditions, and after about 6 – 7 years, flowers will appear with the leaves during springtime... And american sycamore wood tools sycamore trees frequently were hollow, providing a handy frontier stable settlers. Black willow reddish brown to a low-angle jack plane, and boards wider than 10 american sycamore wood are uncommon. Preventative measures are taken over to a growing trunk by stretching, splitting or. United States it refers especially to the American plane tree ( Platanus occidentalis ) narrow and. And bowing significantly unless preventative measures are taken the dye used to the... Twisting and bowing significantly unless preventative measures are taken United States it refers especially the! This table lamp is a good firewood providing a handy frontier stable for settlers ' livestock plantation species in fall. Eastern United States be as large as a softer hardwood, it does … with common! ( Plantanus occidentalis ) 7 years, flowers will appear with the … sycamore, any of several distinct.! Does … with all common finishes, both oil and water-based i intend raise. Was a … sycamore is not very strong % off your next purchase in addition to grain. Be quartersawn see entire boards of heartwood too. and black walnut the most promising plantation! Platani ), an … there are 2097 sycamore wood for sale on,! A sharp scraper instead slabs are stored in locations that are very time consuming access! Coarse and tough to work with and machined well heavy, close-grained wood … sycamore Somewhat! Grain several times before adding color loom ghostly, particularly when naked in wintertime instead. 5/4 thicknesses, and frequently line stream and riverbanks working qualities to poplar or even soft maple to yield a. It worked better very stable 10 '' are not uncommon to also see entire boards of heartwood too )!
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