A Guide To The American Sycamore And Tree Trimming Service | Dallas Fort Worth Area

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American Sycamores are large trees that look very similar to oak and maple trees. Their scientific name is Platanus occidentalis, and this tree is commonly found in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Sycamore trees are also sometimes referred to as buttonwood trees or American plane trees.

If you need advice about which native trees grow best or require a tree trimming service, don’t hesitate to contact S&P Tree Service. The company can provide a tree or stump removal, pruning, and trimming service. Let’s look at the American Sycamore; we’ll tell you how to care for these beautiful trees correctly.

What Is an American Sycamore?

American sycamores are fast-growing trees that can grow to 100 feet when fully matured. These trees are perennials with dark-colored bark that peels off and is lighter underneath. At the beginning of the spring season, sycamores will bloom with lovely blossoms, either green, red, or yellow. American Sycamores grow fruits throughout the summer, which will ripen in December.

How to Care For an American Sycamore

American Sycamores are best grown in rural gardens and landscapes. They can survive in small towns or villages but don’t do so well in urban areas due to alkaline soils and pollution.

These trees are often grown commercially to produce attractive hardwood flooring. Homeowners in Texas often plant sycamores to create shaded areas in their yards or on their land for animals. Here are some tips on caring for the American Sycamore:

Soil

Sycamore trees need to grow in fertile soils so that they have access to enough nutrients to help them thrive. These trees also require well-drained soils and should be overwatered as their roots can start to rot if they become waterlogged. Eventually, root rot will kill the trees.

Sycamore trees like to grow in acidic soils. If you’re thinking of planting sycamore trees, it’s a wise idea to test the soil before you plant to ensure that it’s slightly acidic. These trees grow well in different soil types, including clay-like soil and sandy soil.

It’s also a good idea to add some compost to your soil after digging a hole for the young sycamores root ball. This will help improve the soil’s nutrition and help the tree successfully establish a robust root system.

Watering

Sycamore trees thrive in states which have higher amounts of rainfall. These trees are not drought resistant, so it’s best to water your tree if you live in a drier area. Sycamore’s growth can be stunted if they are left to dry out for too long. Trees that aren’t watered regularly are likely to become weaker and will be more affected by insect infestations and diseases.

It’s a good idea to water young sycamores as this will help them develop a strong root system. Don’t let the soil surrounding the base of your tree dry out, or you’ll likely see signs of pests or disease soon afterward.

Pruning and Tree Trimming Service

Pruning and trimming your sycamore trees can be hard work, especially if you have tall trees. You may like to call in the help of a local tree trimming service. Hiring a tree service will allow you to leave the work to the professionals who will help your trees build a robust framework that will make the trees stronger as they mature.

Tree trimming will prune your trees so that they can grow healthily. Your tree canopy can also be thinned out slightly to make it look great and encourage new growth without getting too dense.

If you don’t prune your young sycamore trees, they can grow massive canopies that will block out all the sunlight. This will mean that it will be challenging to grow other plants or flowers underneath the tree. Once a sycamore has matured, you won’t need to prune it anymore. A tree trimming service can remove dead or damaged branches.

Pests and Diseases

Sycamores suffer from a disease called Anthracnose, which grows on trees. This is most common if there’s been a lot of spring showers and cold weather. The growths look like large cankers which are sunken into the bark of the tree. These growths can appear both on the trunk and branches of the tree and will spread rapidly. Anthracnose can kill the tree’s buds which will cause a “witch’s broom” to grow in the branches.

In severe cases where the disease has been left untreated, it will give the leaves a mottled appearance, and they will eventually turn brown. The tree will also start to drop its leaves and is also likely to suffer from malnutrition, resulting in the death of the tree.

To get rid of anthracnose, call a tree trimming service to cut off the affected branches. You’ll also need to remove the affected leaves from the ground and carefully dispose of them. Don’t compost the leaves as they will be carrying anthracnose, which will reappear on other plants and trees when you use the compost the following growing season.

Sycamore trees are also prone to conditions such as Bacterial Leaf Scorch and Canker Stain. They are affected by pests such as aphids which can invade the trees and feed on their sap.

It’s a wise idea to check your trees over regularly for signs of disease or pest invasion. If you’ve had particularly heavy rains, look out for mold and other fungal infections which could cause issues. You can apply an organic fungicide to stop disease or use neem oil if you have an insect infestation.

S&P Tree Service, Tree Trimming Service, Dallas Fort Worth Area

If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth Area and are searching for advice about tree care or need a tree trimming service, don’t hesitate to contact S&P Tree Service. The company can remove dead trees or branches, landscape your property, plant various tree species and offer a tree trimming service.

Contact S&P Tree Service today on 469-789-6775 for more information about their tree trimming service.