Sycamore Chewed
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
This made me sad. The magnificent old Sycamores on the perimeter of Tompkins Square Park look like they are being eaten alive this year. I’ve heard that these old trees were here before the park. The two on 10th Street are in bad shape, the one on Avenue A is not as bad. Here’s hoping that whatever is going on does not cause permanent damage. Update: It is likely that the tree is suffering from a fungal infection called Sycamore Anthracnose, which is probably not fatal, and the branches will re-leaf later in the summer.
Until recently I’d been identifying these trees as Planetrees which have similar leaves and smooth mottled bark. The main distinguishing characteristic for Sycamores is the rough texture of the bark towards the base.
The branches are almost bare.
The tree thick with leaves, as it was last Summer.
Probably just anthracnose. Extremely common with sycamores causing them to drop leaves and re-leaf almost every spring. I don’t see any evidenced that the tree has been "chewed" at all.
Also American planetree and American sycamore refer to the same species, Platanus occidentalis.
Thanks 20X6, I’m relieved, anthracnose doesn’t sound fatal and the trees may re-leaf soon. https://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02930.html
By planetrees I was referring to London Planetrees which are numerous in the park.
I didn’t know these were sycamores either – grand old trees!
Another good distinction, especially for younger trees, is that London planetrees usually have some greenish coloration in the bark and American planetrees are shades of white, grey, and brown.
Yeah, the bark is lovely. Thanks again, 20X6.