Wood Species Guide
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Also called: Sycamore, American Planetree, American Plane, Buttonwood, Buttonball Tree, Water Beech, Quartersawn Sycamore (lacewood look)
About the name “American Sycamore”
"Sycamore" means different trees in different places. In North America it is Platanus occidentalis, covered here. In the UK it usually means a maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), and the European plane tree is sold as "lacewood" when quartersawn. True lacewood from South America is a different wood again.
In Florida, "buttonwood" usually means the coastal mangrove Conocarpus erectus, a different tree.
What American Sycamore looks like
Heartwood is light to medium tan with a reddish cast, and the sapwood is nearly white. Flatsawn boards look plain. Quartersawn boards are covered in small, dense ray flecks that look like a lace pattern.
Grain and texture
Interlocked grain with a fine, even texture. The quartersawn ray fleck is the reason people seek it out.
Working American Sycamore: planing, cutting and gluing
Generally easy to machine, but the interlocked grain can tear out and leave fuzzy surfaces, so keep cutters sharp and take light passes. It glues and screws well. Boards tend to cup and twist if they were not dried carefully, so sticker and acclimate before milling.
Finishing American Sycamore: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Finishes nicely with oil, lacquer or water-based clear coats, and the ray fleck really pops under oil. Stain can look uneven on the flecks. The tight grain does not outgas much, so it is easy to cast in or flood with epoxy.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not rot resistant and not for outdoor use. It is prone to warping. In Florida, store it flat and stickered, mill it in stages, and seal all faces.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Plain sycamore is a cheap utility wood, but quartersawn sycamore is a sleeper: you get a lacewood-style fleck at domestic prices. Sycamore trees grow huge, so wide slabs do turn up, but they need very careful drying to stay flat. Pair the light, flecked boards with walnut or cherry for contrast. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for American Sycamore
Boxes, drawer sides, furniture, cutting boards, butcher block, veneer, and quartersawn accent panels.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
Few reports. No reactions beyond ordinary wood dust irritation are known.
- In the shop
- Normal dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Good choice for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No reactions beyond the normal risks of wood dust are widely reported. Use dust collection and a mask.
American Sycamore in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have American Sycamore listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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