Buttonwood vs. Sycamore — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Buttonwood is another name for the American sycamore, a large, deciduous tree known for its expansive canopy and peeling bark, while "sycamore" broadly refers to several different types of trees, including American sycamore and the European sycamore.
Difference Between Buttonwood and Sycamore
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Key Differences
The term "Buttonwood" specifically refers to the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), a tree native to the Eastern United States, recognized for its massive size, broad, spreading canopy, and distinctive bark that peels away in large patches to reveal a white to greenish inner bark. On the other hand, "sycamore" is used to describe several tree species within the genus Platanus, including the American sycamore, as well as trees outside of this genus in different regions, such as the European sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), which is actually a type of maple.
American sycamores or buttonwoods are notable for their longevity and robustness, often found along rivers and in floodplains, where they play a crucial role in stabilizing the soil and supporting local ecosystems. Whereas sycamores, in a broader sense, can refer to trees adapted to a variety of environments, including the European sycamore, which thrives in a wide range of soil types and is commonly found across Europe, known for its tolerance to wind and coastal conditions.
The leaves of the American sycamore or buttonwood are large, palmate, and can turn a golden yellow in the fall, creating a striking landscape feature. In contrast, the European sycamore, one of the trees also referred to by the name "sycamore," has leaves that are more similar in appearance to those of maple trees, with a distinctive five-lobed shape and a bright green color that turns yellow or gold in autumn.
The seed pods of the American sycamore (buttonwood) consist of a ball-like cluster of achenes that hang from the branches, resembling buttons, which is where the name "buttonwood" originates. On the other hand, the seeds of the European sycamore are arranged in pairs, with each seed having a wing, similar to other maples, which facilitates wind dispersal, highlighting a significant difference in reproductive strategies between these types of trees commonly referred to as sycamores.
In terms of cultural significance, the buttonwood is historically notable in the United States, with the Buttonwood Agreement of 1792, which led to the formation of the New York Stock Exchange, being signed under a buttonwood tree. Sycamores, more broadly, have various symbolic meanings in different cultures, including representation of strength, protection, and eternity, demonstrating the varied cultural and historical importance of these trees.
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Comparison Chart
Scientific Name
Platanus occidentalis
Varies (e.g., Platanus spp., Acer pseudoplatanus)
Native Region
Eastern United States
Various, including North America and Europe
Typical Environment
Riversides, floodplains
Diverse, from floodplains to urban areas
Leaf Characteristics
Large, palmate, golden yellow in fall
Varies; maple-like in European sycamore
Seed Characteristics
Ball-like cluster of achenes
Varies; winged pairs in European sycamore
Bark Description
Peeling, revealing white to greenish inner bark
Varies; smooth and gray in European sycamore
Cultural Significance
Buttonwood Agreement, NYSE origin
Varied, including symbolic meanings in different cultures
Compare with Definitions
Buttonwood
A large, deciduous tree known for its broad canopy and peeling bark.
The historic buttonwood tree stood tall in the park, its bark peeling away in large patches.
Sycamore
Seeds often have a winged design for wind dispersal.
In autumn, the sycamore's winged seeds twirled through the air, finding new places to take root.
Buttonwood
Notable in American history for the Buttonwood Agreement.
The buttonwood tree became a symbol of American finance after the 1792 agreement.
Sycamore
European sycamore is a type of maple, thriving in diverse environments.
The European sycamore, despite its name, added a touch of wilderness to the urban landscape.
Buttonwood
Recognized by its ball-like seed clusters.
The children collected the buttonwood's button-like seeds as they played under its shade.
Sycamore
Known for its durable, wind-resistant qualities.
The coastal village was sheltered by a line of sturdy sycamores, their leaves rustling in the sea breeze.
Buttonwood
Valued for its environmental and stabilizing role in floodplains.
Planting buttonwoods along the stream helped reduce erosion significantly.
Sycamore
Refers to various tree species, including the American sycamore and European sycamore.
The sycamores in the park varied, some with maple-like leaves and others with peeling bark.
Buttonwood
Also called the American sycamore, prominent in Eastern US landscapes.
The riverbank was lined with towering buttonwoods, their leaves fluttering in the wind.
Sycamore
Symbolic of strength and protection across cultures.
In folklore, the sycamore was often planted near homes to offer protection and bring good fortune.
Buttonwood
See sycamore.
Sycamore
Sycamore is a name which has been applied to several types of trees, but with somewhat similar leaf forms. The name derives from the ancient Greek συκόμορος (sūkomoros) meaning "fig-mulberry".
Buttonwood
An evergreen shrub or tree (Conocarpus erectus) of coastal wetlands of tropical America and western Africa, having alternate leathery leaves and small buttonlike heads of greenish flowers.
Sycamore
Any of various deciduous trees of the genus Platanus, especially P. occidentalis of eastern North America, having palmately lobed leaves, ball-like, nodding, hairy fruit clusters, and bark that flakes off in large pieces. Also called buttonball, buttonwood.
Buttonwood
The common name given to at least three species of shrub or tree.
Sycamore
A Eurasian deciduous maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) having palmately lobed leaves, winged fruits, and greenish flowers.
Buttonwood
The mangrove tree (Conocarpus erectus, family Combretaceae) a tropical and subtropical species.
Sycamore
A fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and adjacent southwest Asia, mentioned in the Bible, having clusters of figs borne on short leafless twigs.
Buttonwood
The American sycamore or American plane tree (Platanus occidentalis, family Platanaceae).
Sycamore
(US) Any of several North American plane trees, of the genus Platanus, especially Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore), distinguished by its mottled bark which flakes off in large irregular masses.
Buttonwood
California sycamore or western sycamore (Platanus racemosa).
Sycamore
(British) A large British and European species of maple, Acer pseudoplatanus, known in North America as the sycamore maple.
Buttonwood
The Platanus occidentalis, or American plane tree, a large tree, producing rough balls, from which it is named; - called also buttonball tree, and, in some parts of the United States, sycamore. The California buttonwood is Platanus racemosa.
Sycamore
(originally) A large tree bearing edible fruit, Ficus sycomorus, allied to the common fig, found in Egypt and Syria.
Buttonwood
Very large spreading plane tree of eastern and central North America to Mexico
Sycamore
A large tree (Ficus Sycomorus) allied to the common fig. It is found in Egypt and Syria, and is the sycamore, or sycamine, of Scripture.
Sycamore
Variably colored and sometimes variegated hard tough elastic wood of a sycamore tree
Sycamore
Any of several trees of the genus Platanus having thin pale bark that scales off in small plates and lobed leaves and ball-shaped heads of fruits
Sycamore
Eurasian maple tree with pale gray bark that peels in flakes like that of a sycamore tree; leaves with five ovate lobes yellow in autumn
Sycamore
Thick-branched wide-spreading tree of Africa and adjacent southwestern Asia often buttressed with branches rising from near the ground; produces cluster of edible but inferior figs on short leafless twigs; the Biblical sycamore
Common Curiosities
How are sycamore trees beneficial to the environment?
Sycamore trees play a crucial role in stabilizing soil, providing habitats for wildlife, and offering shade and oxygen, contributing positively to their ecosystems.
Can buttonwood trees grow in urban areas?
Yes, buttonwood trees, due to their robust nature, can thrive in urban areas, providing greenery and shade in city parks and streets.
Are buttonwood and American sycamore the same?
Yes, "buttonwood" is another name for the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).
What is the Buttonwood Agreement?
The Buttonwood Agreement was signed in 1792 under a buttonwood tree, laying the foundation for what would become the New York Stock Exchange.
Can the term "sycamore" refer to different types of trees?
Yes, "sycamore" can refer to different tree species, including the American sycamore and the European sycamore, among others.
What kind of maintenance do sycamore trees require?
Sycamore trees require minimal maintenance once established but may need regular watering during drought, as well as occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged branches.
Are there any diseases common to sycamore trees?
Sycamore trees can be susceptible to diseases such as anthracnose, which causes leaf and twig blight, and canker stain, which affects the tree’s vascular system.
What is the lifespan of a sycamore tree?
Sycamore trees can live for several hundred years, with some species like the American sycamore known to live up to 600 years under ideal conditions.
Why is the American sycamore also called buttonwood?
It is called buttonwood due to its ball-like seed clusters that resemble buttons.
Where do buttonwoods typically grow?
Buttonwoods typically grow in Eastern North America, often along riversides and in floodplains.
Do sycamore trees have any medicinal uses?
Historically, various parts of sycamore trees have been used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as colds and wounds, although their effectiveness and use vary by culture and species.
Is the European sycamore considered invasive in any regions?
Yes, in some areas outside its native range, the European sycamore is considered invasive and can outcompete local species.
What makes the European sycamore different from the American sycamore?
The European sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is actually a type of maple and differs in leaf shape, seed structure, and bark texture from the American sycamore.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
