PLATARIUS OCCIDENTALIS

Other names
Buttonwood, American planetree

Distribution
Throughout Eastern USA

The timber
The sapwood of sycamore is white to light yellow, while the heartwood is light to dark brown. The wood has a fine close texture with interlocked grain. It is not related in any way to European sycamore but it has the same family classification, and similar characteristics to European plane. Contrasts well with other species. The wood is classified as moderate in weight, hardness, stiffness and shock resistance. It turns well on the lathe and has good banding qualities.

Drying
It dries fairly rapidly with a tendency to warp. It has moderate shrinkage and little movement in performance.

Durability
Rated as non-resistant to heartwood decay. The sapwood is liable to be attacked by the common furniture beetle, but is permeable to preservative treatment.

Working qualities
The wood machines well but high speed cutters are needed to prevent chipping. It is resistant to splitting due to the interlocked grain. The wood glues well and stains and polishes, with care to an excellent finish.

Uses
Furniture, furniture parts, joinery, panelling and mouldings, flooring, kitchenware, butchers blocks and veneered panels.