American Sycamore

The American sycamore is a tree of river bottom forests where it can reach its largest size: 150 feet in height and 8 feet or more in diameter. Lake Roland’s oldest and largest American sycamores are found along Roland Run (Blue Trail) and the Jones Falls (Red Trail and Kingfisher Wetlands Trail).

The signature identifying feature of this huge tree is its brown bark which exfoliates in irregular pieces to reveal a patchwork of browns, yellows, and greens against a background of creamy white inner bark. Mature trees typically display a mottled white bark high in their crown.  As you walk through the park along the water, see if you can spot these trees.

Currently, six of Lake Roland’s American sycamores are on the MD Big Tree Program registry. Two are along the Red Trail including this picturesque one (BT-4186).

Airtable – Tree Listings on Website.

This tree ID sign is sponsored by the Baltimore County Forestry Board,
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