Not what I thought but close tree ID

The title says it all. Was dropped off by a licensed arborist. After talking to him for a few minutes, I could tell he really knew his stuff. So, thoughts on this tree?

 

Well, the obvious one would be Sycamore, but I gather its not...?

 

Thats what I had thought also.

 

I would go all in on sycamore. If it is, all the power to ya for turning it into firewood.

 

I had some a few years ago...it was fine, but I take it not all of it is?

 

Correct

 

Couple times I had some if was not fun. Like elm. Won't touch the stuff.

 

It is not a true sycamore but in the family.

 

Hopefully it splits easier. You ever process any sycamore Joe?

 

So somewhere in here: "Platanus occidentalis, also known as American sycamore, American planetree, western plane,[2] occidental plane, buttonwood, and water beech" ?

 

I just looked it up. Never heard of it. Wonder if its bloody good firewood?

 

My first guess would be sycamore but if it isn’t, I’d say London plane tree.

 

London Planeteee

 

I have. Had some split just fine and others I sent to the wood boiler because it was terrible.

 

Yes!

 

Yes!

 

I have heard of the London Plane tree but never knew what one looked like. Have probably processed some too and didn’t even know it at the time. If the arborist didn’t correct me, I would have thought it was just another sycamore.

 

Interesting, I never knew there was a difference and thought that plane tree was just another name for sycamore.

I got a feeling there’s quite a bit of plane tree around. I see Sycamore with Anthracnose (diseased leaves). It’s very noticeable this time of year. I saw trees with it yesterday.

1. If it’s planted in a big city, it will probably turn out to be a London plane tree. These trees are cultivated more than the sycamore because they are thought to be more resistant to Anthracnose.
2. However, if the tree is growing along a stream or bottomland in the Eastern United States, vote for the sycamore. This is sycamore territory.
3. Look at the bark of the trees. Both exfoliate, but the underbark of the London plane tree is largely olive green, while that of the sycamore is a mix of white, cream, green, and gray.
4. Look at the fruit. The London plane tree bears two per stalk while the sycamore one per stalk.

Difference Between Sycamore And London Plane Tree.

 

I looked carefully at the ‘sycamore’ trees around town while walking the dogs this morning. The ones down by the brook definitely hadn’t multicolored under bark and curbside plantings in one neighborhood are definitely more monotone green. Exactly how bullet point 2 above describes.

stream-side photos below, Sycamore. The street plantings looked like the pictures in jrider original post. Even have the bumps and unevenness. The bumpiness , if it’s consistent, actually looks more distinctive than the color difference as a characteristic for identification.

 

Truth bomb