Comments on: early winter sycamores

By: Country Mouse

Country Mouse — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:05:51 +0000

Well, that’s interesting but I guess not so unexpected. Could be just lack of knowledge on the designer/architect’s part, or maybe the plane tree is more predictable in its size and shape, a known quantity, or preferable as to exact color or some aesthetic characteristic…

By: lostlandscape

lostlandscape — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:25:23 +0000

CM, the Getty Museum has a large planting of London plane trees which looked so much like sycamores that I had to go looking them up. Different species, but same genus. I think that qualifies as a “sycamore.” It’s odd that they used that species and not the native sycamore that grows a half mile away. But European plants at a museum that features European art somehow seems par for the course. At least the firm that handles other landscaping details planted Western sycamores all around the musuem–There’s even one right at the main entrance.

By: Country Mouse

Country Mouse — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:04:57 +0000

Raucously colored — I like it. I adore the sycamores that grow along side the creek that runs beside the one-track road winding up a narrow valley to our home. Especially beautiful in fall when the leaves light up pale golden — I took some pictures and then never posted them on the blog. The bark reminds me of London, whose plane trees are a kind of sycamore I guess. Beautiful photos — I enjoyed them a lot. I think I’ll go enjoy them some more.

By: lostlandscape

lostlandscape — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 06:26:21 +0000

Steve, I haven’t done a scientific survey, but the sycamores seem to be better than eucalyptus at holding on to their big branches, though they will shed quite a few twigs. Give the choice–and an unlimited water budget–I’d definitely go for the sycamore.

By: steve

steve — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:22:33 +0000

James, the Sycamores back East are simply breathtaking. I also love the bark, as mottled and spotty as it is and standing out so clearly. They have become one of my favorite local items in Louisville. In many ways, they remind me of the Eucalyptus in California with all that varied color.

By: lostlandscape

lostlandscape — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:09:47 +0000

Pomona, I see these trees going in in places where the owners have no idea how large they can get–quickly. Even if they must be pruned, there are more graceful, natural ways to cut them than to turn them into lollipops.

Susie, I’m sorry to hear you might lose your sycamore! I’d be devastated. I knew there were various beetles out there eating trees, but I hadn’t heard of a bark beetle on sycamores.

Stevie, you’re revealing all sorts of things about yourself…makes me wonder whether you’re dreaming you’re the student or–hopefully not–the teacher…

Noelle, of all their features, it’s the bark that really gets me. I could stare at it for hours.

By: Noelle/azplantlady

Noelle/azplantlady — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:08:46 +0000

My favorite aspect of the beautiful Sycamores are their mottled bark. As a child, I used to pick off the pieces of the bark.

By: Stevie

Stevie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:58:21 +0000

I see a man with glasses in the tree bark. He looks like a teacher who is leaning over to scold a student. What does that say about me? PS: Great photos!

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:13:26 +0000

I love your photos of one of my favortite trees. Alas I may loose my backyard Sycamore to bark beetles.…who knew?

By: Pomona Belvedere

Pomona Belvedere — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:22:39 +0000

I enjoyed this photoessay on our native sycamore and its surroundings. Subtle beauty is powerful, too. The photo of the sycamore against the live oak reminded me how beautiful the sycamore form is, especially when people don’t do awful things like poll them.