Although sycamore trees can provide shade during the summer, they may be more trouble than they solve. Sycamore trees may not be as benign as you thought. Your sycamore tree may need to be cut down.
If your sycamore tree is becoming too large or is attracting pests or growing fungi, you should trim it down. Sycamore tree roots can grow to over 30 feet in full growth. This could cause problems with your foundation, sewage system and electrical wiring.
Continue reading to find out more about Sycamore trees, and why you might want yours to be cut down.
What are Sycamore Trees?
There are eight species of sycamore trees. They all belong to the family of plane-trees. Three of these species are native to the United States. The Eastern and Central United States are home to Sycamore trees.
According to C. According to the Frank Brockman book Trees of North America: Sycamore trees can be found along streams and thrive on moist soils.
Sycamore trees can grow very quickly. They can reach 120 feet high with a trunk that is ten feet wide.
According to the Department of Horticulture at Kentucky University, sycamore trees are characterized by a wide-spreading canopy of large branches. Some canopies of sycamore trees can reach 80ft.
Many fruits are produced by these trees, which are commonly known as button balls. These button balls are made up of many long seeds that are packed together into a small sphere which grows from the tree. Each seed has hairs at the base.
Sycamore trees are often used to shade gardens and parks due to their large canopy. Recently, however, many sycamores have been used in intensively-cultured biomass farms in the Southeastern United States.
Why You May Need To Cut Down Your Sycamore Tree
Although they are beautiful and shaded trees, there are risks associated with growing Sycamores on your property. Their rapid growth and roots can cause serious damage to pavement and buildings.
These trees are very susceptible to insect infestation and fungal diseases such as anthracnose. Anthracnose is a serious disease that can lead to death in older sycamores. Sycamore trees can shed leaves, twigs and branches as well as bark, which can cause damage and mess, or even prevent the growth of plants near.
These trees can be difficult to maintain and care for.
Let’s look at why getting rid your sycamore may be the best thing!
Sycamore Trees grow fast and large
Sycamores grow faster than most other trees. A USDA summary on Sycamore trees states that they are fast-growing and can live long in the lowlands.
Sycamores can grow as high as 2 feet each year. A sapling can grow up to 2 feet per year ten years after it was planted.
They can grow very large. Sycamores can reach heights of between 70 and 100 feet. Their trunks can grow to as much as 10 feet in diameter.
The Sycamore tree crowns can reach up to 80 feet in diameter.
Sycamores are often planted too close together due to their size and rapid growth. When saplings reach maturity, they will increase their consumption of resources. Planting sycamore trees too close together can lead to competition for sunlight, water and nutrients.
The competing sycamores that lack sufficient resources for growth will become less resilient and more susceptible to diseases and infestations.
The downside of the tree’s size is that branch dieback can lead to property damage. Infected or infested limbs can cause property damage.
Pests And Parasitic Fungi Love Sycamore Trees
There are many insects that feed on sycamores. They can cause severe damage to the trees, or even death, in older trees and trees with reduced vigor.
Sycamores are also susceptible to ant infestations, which can cause ingrown bark pockets and lower the quality of the wood. Sycamore trees are grown for their lumber. Ant attacks can make a significant portion of the wood useless.
Botryodiplodia are fungi that can infect sycamore trees. It causes cankers in the trees it infects.
These fungi, along with many others, Ceratocystis Fimbriata, Apiognomonia Veneta,, cause severe damage to sycamore tree.
These fungi can cause damage such as leaf scorch and leaf shed, branch and trunk dieback, and formation of lethal cankers.
Sycamore Trees Shed And Leave Debris
Because of several growth cycles and damaging factors, Sycamore trees can shed leaves, twigs and branches as well as seeds and bark. Sycamore debris can be found all year round when you plant these trees.
Anthracnose is a common problem in sycamore trees and can cause a mass leaf loss. This issue can lead to blockage in drainage systems due to the large number of leaves that fall from sycamore trees.
Lack of water, insect infestations, herbicides, soil over-fertilization and light damage are all reasons why sycamores may shed unnaturally.
The cork cambium may be damaged by cold temperatures in winter. This could cause the tree to lose its outer bark. Late spring temperatures can cause the buds to freeze and die .
This can often lead to dead branches and a heap of leaves around the trunk. Fallen leaves can block plant growth for the underlying grass.
Sycamore trees also shed hair! These seeds have hairs that behave like a parachute if carried by the wind. They are able to gather together and form a ball, which can be hung from the tree for the duration of the seed dispersal process.
The seed balls are broken down into individual seeds between February and May. The wind blows the seeds further away from the tree, and they then fall from the tree.
Itchy eyes and allergy flares can often be caused by the hairs found on sycamore seed fuzz.
Sycamore Tree Roots Can Cause Problems
Sycamores have a strong, branching root system. Sycamores can reach a radius of 30ft and 2 feet below the soil. Roots that are shallow and quick-growing can cause damage to underground pipes, pavement, and buildings.
These trees aren’t the only ones that can cause similar problems. To avoid the same problems, see 9 Trees that Can Damage Your Foundation (& how to Fix it).
Rapid growth of large roots causes soil to shrink and expand, shifting foundations under pavement or under your home.
These roots can grow underground, through or around septic systems and possibly burst pipes. A burst pipe can lead to problems with the plumbing or leaks that could further damage the foundation.
You might consider replacing your Sycamore tree with a less troublesome species if you have pipe problems. This article, 6 Best Shade Trees to Plant That Will Not Cause Root Problems, is a good place to start!
What You Need To Cut Down A Sycamore Tree
We’ve now covered the main reasons you should consider cutting down your Sycamore tree.
Let’s now learn how to do the job! To prevent injury and damage, there are several safety precautions. It is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and procedures surrounding tree removal and clearing.
Apart from this, it is important to consult an experienced professional before you cut down an adult Sycamore tree.
For those not familiar with the process of removing trees, cutting down a Sycamore tree can seem daunting. They can grow up to 100 feet tall! There are many things you can do to reduce sycamores, including laws, regulations and techniques.
It’s best to let the professionals do it.
Permit For Cutting Down Your Sycamore Tree
Before you cut down a tree on your land, make sure to check whether there are any laws or regulations that limit your ability to do so. These regulations can be found in the Tree Protection Ordinance of your county.
Trees that are dead, dangerous, or non-protected, as well as local pest species, can usually be cut down by the property owner without a permit. To avoid fines and legal trouble, make sure you read the Tree Protection Ordinance for your locality. A protected tree can be cut down for thousands of dollars depending on its location and regulations.
You can call an arborist to help you locate the Tree Protection Ordinance in your area. They will be able to tell you whether the city has protected the tree.
The Best Time To Cut Down A Sycamore Tree
When is the best time to trim your sycamore trees?
If the tree is causing immediate problems such as pests, branches that are too high near your home, or roots that are spreading far too fast, you should immediately get rid of it.
Sycamore trees can grow up to 100 feet tall. This means that a large branch may need to be removed immediately. This is especially important if the tree has begun to brown or is dying.
If your sycamore tree is just shedding leaves and causing debris, it’s probably okay to wait a while as it’s not an urgent problem.
We have a number of Northern Spruce trees that are over 100ft right next to our house. They are a nuisance and can often block our gutters. I have to clean them out every now and again, especially in the rainstorms.
We simply love the trees and would not consider cutting them down. However, it was something we considered at one time. We’d rather do the extra pruning and let the trees grow.
If your sycamore tree is shedding, it might be a good idea to prune it so it can provide the beauty and cover it provides.
No matter what your situation may be, you can contact an arborist who will advise you on the best way to proceed with your sycamore tree.
Uses For Cut Sycamore Wood
The stump and tree will be removed, but the excess sycamore wood remains. This wood is great for kindling firewood. Take a pair of axes to manageable logs and cut them into small pieces.
Sycamore wood has been used in many ways throughout history.
Sycamore wood is a beautiful material to carve. Sycamore wood has a bendy appearance that makes it a great material for carving. These twigs and branches are ideal for bentwood projects like dome shelters, coverings, and baskets.
To return to the firewood issue, it is a good idea to use at most the wood for an outdoor campfire. Sycamore wood is our top choice for firewood!
You’ll be fine if the wood doesn’t have any major problems or isn’t rotten. You can ask the professional to cut the tree down and then you can cut the firewood yourself.
You might also be able ask for a discount!
That’s All We’ve Got!
We hope that you will feel more confident about your ability to make space in your yard, whether you’re making room for a new project or removing sycamores from your property. You can take back control of your land and remove the sycamore trees that are causing problems.
There will be no more sycamore fluff or twig and/or leaf litter.
You can solve your sycamore problems today with a little bit of effort and a goal.
If you are unable to do the tree cutting yourself, it is a good idea to ask for help from a professional.
We are grateful for your time!