WOOD EXPLORER
by Gene Wengert
gwengert@wattnet.net
Sycamore
American sycamore (Platanus occi-dentalis) is widespread throughout the
eastern half of the Unites States, with a
few trees here and there rather than a
large, dense forest. The trees can be as
large as 48 inches in diameter and 100
feet high. In fact, sycamore is one of the
largest hardwood trees in the forest; it
is also very fast growing. Its white bark
results in the name “ghost tree” and so
the lumber is also called ghost wood.
The button-shaped fruit also gives rise to
the name “buttonwood.” In Europe, it is
often called lacewood. When early pioneers settling the eastern U.S. found a
sycamore tree, they knew the soil would
be deep and rich.
Sycamore is used occasionally in
high-end furniture and cabinetry, but
seems ignored for the most part — a
Common U.S.
hardwood has
character plus.
shame, as the wood has more character
when quartersawn than any other hardwood, including white oak. The reddish
hue is attractive too.
Perhaps an entire suite of sycamore
might be too much, but this wood can
certainly be used for accents, trim, wainscoting, paneling and flooring. Before
plastic containers, sycamore food boxes
were common. Also, the interlocked
grain (see machining section) resists
splitting, so this wood was and is popular
for butcher blocks. ❮
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Density: The density of American sycamore averages 31
pounds per cubic foot at 7 percent MC. This is about 3/4
the density of red oak, but is equal to Honduras mahogany.
the grain (chip-out likely) and then zones where machining
is with the grain. Avoid high feed speeds, dull knives and
high stock removal. Also avoid overly dry material.
Processing suggestions and characteristics
Drying: This wood dries very easily with little risk of checking, splitting or warping. However, the wood is prone to
developing bacterial infections in the tree. This leads to
bad odors, water pockets, ring shake (or separation) and
honeycomb when drying — even with mild conditions.
Shrinkage in drying is 6 percent.
Final MCs should be between 6 and 7. 5 percent MC.
Machining deteriorates if the wood is too dry; gluing and
movement occurs if the wood is too wet.
Gluing and machining: The wood is easy to glue, but requires that the surfaces be glued soon after preparation to
avoid shrinkage and swelling if the MC changes.
Machining can be difficult at times as the grain is interlocked. This means that the grain varies in direction from
one growth ring to the next. Although this means an enhanced grain pattern with ribbon strips, it also means that
there will be zones in which planing or surfacing is against
Stability: Sycamore is subject to moderate changes when the
MC changes — about 1 percent size change for 3. 5 percent
MC change with the annual rings (tangentially) and 6 percent MC change across the rings (radially). Some lengthwise
shrinkage may be noted at times due to interlocked grain.
Strength: The wood is moderately strong and stiff — about
65 to 75 percent of red oak. The bending strength (MOR) is
10,000 psi, stiffness (MOE) is 1. 4 million psi and hardness is
770 pounds. These are comparable to Honduras mahogany.
Color and grain: The color of sycamore heartwood is
light reddish brown with darker browns found sometimes.
Sapwood, which is 5 to 7 inches wide in the log, is nearly
white with, at times, a slight yellowish tinge. The grain is
fine textured, but the figure on quartersawn surfaces is very
dramatic. The interlocked grain also means that the wood
resists splitting.
