American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with fine, even texture. Famous for its dramatic lacewood figure when quarter-sawn, showing large, conspicuous medullary rays.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown; sapwood is pale yellow to white and can transition gradually. It possesses a moderate luster and turns darker, golden-brown with age.
Hardness Rating
770 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to decay and insect attack if left exposed to the elements.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, interior trim, veneer, butcher blocks, and shipping crates/pallets. Its quarter-sawn 'lacewood' look is highly prized for decorative small objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot (Higher for figured quarter-sawn material).
Wood Age Estimate
The standing tree shown exhibits a large diameter and mature exfoliating 'camo' bark in the upper canopy, suggesting it is likely 60-100+ years old.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally works well with hand and machine tools, though the interlocked grain can cause fuzzy surfaces or tearout during planing. It glues and finishes well but is prone to significant shrinkage during drying.
Notable Features
Distinguished by its 'camouflage' peeling bark on the upper trunk and branches. The wood is odorless and has a high degree of radial shrinkage.
Finish Recommendations
Clear oils or shellac are recommended to highlight the medullary rays. Polyurethane works well for durability in flooring or tabletop applications.
Identification Confidence
High; the specimen shows the classic exfoliating white-and-gray bark pattern in the upper crown and a massive, straight-trunk growth habit characteristic of Platanus occidentalis.