WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
6 or so years ago, I transplanted a wild sycamore tree from the side of the road to my front lawn. It’s a somewhat poorly drained area where no other tree could probably grow. It’s also far enough away from the road and nearby powerlines for a large tree to grow in, while serving as a “bookend” for the mountain-view. This tree is now about 15-feet tall and doing well so far. Not only does sycamore offer large, beautiful maple-like leaves with attractive camouflage bark, it also has a great shape. Unlike other trees planted in wide-open spaces, it normally retains a central leader like a forest grown tree, making it more structurally sound going forward. Lastly, it also has cool looking “button-balls” for its fruit that hang all winter long. The button-balls begin showing up around 6 years of age. Plant a sycamore if you have the space and are in a rush for a large tree.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association