Call 317-348-0811 for Sycamore Tree Removal in Indianapolis!

Cool Facts About Sycamore Trees

One of the most common species of tree native to North America is the Sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis. Also called the American Sycamore, Buttonwood, Occidental Plane, and American Planetree, the Sycamore is a beautiful tree easily distinguishable for it’s mottled, exfoliating bark. The bark of a Sycamore flakes off in big, irregular masses, leaving behind a blotchy surface with patterns of green, white, black, and brown bark.

Although all trees grow out of their bark in similar ways, the American Sycamore shows these signs more visibly. Another trait that easily distinguishes Sycamore trees from others is the way their leaves grow sticky green buds. And when it comes to growing, Sycamore trees are among the largest! A Sycamore tree can grow to massive heights and widths. On average, they grow between 90 and 130 feet tall and over 4 feet wide! Have you ever seen a tree so big before?

Well in Kokomo, Indiana, you can! At Highland Park, anyone can witness the largest sycamore tree stump in the world!

Visit Kokomo’s Highland Park to See the Largest Tree Stump in the World!

🌳 WHERE: Highland Park
🌳 ADDRESS: Old Ben Drive, Kokomo, Indiana
🌳 ADMISSION FEE: Free! 🎉

In the early 1900’s, a giant, centuries-old sycamore tree fell from a storm several miles west of Kokomo, Indiana. Although no one could identify exactly how old the tree was, the stump that stood in its place was over 12 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 57 feet in circumference! A man by the name of Jacob Bergman was the commissioner for the Kokomo City Park at the time. He took a strong liking to the old tree stump and decided it would make a great attraction to honor our state’s pioneer days. For $300, Bergman was able to hire a tractor to pull the stump from the outskirts of Kokomo, all the way to the City Park. This took place on Sunday, June 18^th, 1916.

There were many reports that the Sycamore stump would be renovated into an interactive park attraction. Rumors of doors, openings, spiral staircases, and observation decks buzzed around town, but nothing was ever done to the stump. Instead, the tree stump stood in the park for nearly 20 years, taking on an abundance of abuse in the form of name carving and vandalism.

So in 1938, Kokomo enlisted the National Youth Administration to build an open air screened-in shelter around the stump to preserve it from harm and deterioration. In 1989, an all-weather glass pavilion was built around it, along with two added wings for a visitation center and another attraction (the world’s largest steer).

Would you like some of your landscaping trees trimmed up, pruned, or removed this year? Contact Timberland Tree Care at 317-348-0811 for licensed and insured tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial customers with comprehensive tree service solutions at the right price.

Dead Trees

Dead trees are easier to spot than you think. In fact, there is a simple test that works almost every time. You can snap off a small branch and look inside. If the inner tissue is moist and green-ish, the tree is still alive. If the inner tissue is dull and dry, it is likely dead. However, this test is only recommended for smaller trees. When it comes to large sycamore trees, it may be more difficult to tell whether or not it is dead using this test. Fortunately, there are some other things you can do.

Large Sycamore Trees

It is important to act as soon as possible when you suspect a large sycamore might be dead. Large, dead trees are potential hazards since they are more prone to leaning, falling, and uprooting. Likewise, if a Sycamore tree is ill, and in decline, it is important to have it removed before it’s condition can worsen, thus turning it into a higher risk tree. Sycamore trees can grow very tall, up to 100 feet or more in the United States, so they can do a large scope of damage if they fall.

The first step you should take to determine the health of a large Sycamore is to do a visual inspection. Here’s how:

Look at the branches. If it is late spring or summer, and your tree still has bare branches, it could be dead or in decline.

Look at the leaves. If your tree has lost a significant amount of leaves, or is only growing leaves on one side, it could be dead or in decline.

Look at the trunk. Cracks, seams, wounds, or openings in the bark could be signs that the tree is dead. This could also be true if the bark is missing in big patches.

When to Remove a Sycamore

If your Sycamore tree is not leaning or tilting, and less than 50% of the trunk is not damaged, it is typically safe to keep it in place, and see if it gets better.

If your tree is more than 50% damaged on the trunk, or is leaning one way, it should be removed this year.

Where to Get Professional Tree Removal for Sycamores in Indianapolis

Call Timberland Tree Care at 317-348-0811 to schedule your needed Indianapolis tree removal services for your residential or commercial property. We are licensed and experienced tree care contractors who offer a wide range of professional-level tree work at all scopes. Whether you need a stump removed, or an entire lot cleared, we are the pros to trust for quality work at the right price.

Timberland Tree Care Indianapolis, Indiana

Timberland Tree Care 317-348-0811

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Tag Archives: Large Sycamore Trees

The Home of the World’s Biggest Sycamore Tree Stump Will Surprise You

Cool Facts About Sycamore Trees

Visit Kokomo’s Highland Park to See the Largest Tree Stump in the World!

How to Tell if Your Sycamore Tree is Dead

Dead Trees

Large Sycamore Trees

When to Remove a Sycamore

Where to Get Professional Tree Removal for Sycamores in Indianapolis