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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Platanus (occidentalis)

Morris J. Houck, Jr.
USDA NRCS - James E. "Bud" Smith Plant Materials Center
3776 Farm Road 1292
Knox City, Texas 79529-2514
(940) 658-3922
(940) 658-3047 (fax)
mhouck@tx.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/txpmc
Family Scientific Name: Platanaceae
Family Common Name: Sycamore Family
Scientific Name: Platanus occidentalis L.
Common Name: American sycamore
Species Code: PLCC
Ecotype: The Point, Guy Sandy Area and the Buckhorn Area
General Distribution: Maine to Iowa, south to central Texas and northwestern Florida. Also, in northeastern Mexico. Planted in South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Time To Grow: 0
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedling. Height: 3 ft. Caliper: N/A. Root System: Long taproot.
Propagule Collection: Collected in Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur, Oklahoma by Rudy G. Esquivel in 11/1997.
Propagule Processing: Seed Processing: Seed heads collected by hand and in large amounts are shaken loose in a canvas sheet or brown bag for small amounts, at the NRCS PMC.
Seeds/Kg: N/A.
Germination: N/A.
Purity: N/A.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Propagation Environment: In the greenhouse and lath house for growing and hardening-off.

Seed Propagation Method: Seed in containers or flats.

Container Type and Volume: 3 gallon.

Growing Media: Sunshine Mix #1 or #3.
Establishment Phase: Sowing Date: Spring is the best time to sow seeds, but fall or late winter sowings are feasible.


% Emergence and Date: N/A.

Sowing/Planting Technique: The seeds may be broadcast or drilled in rows 6 to 8 inches apart. They should be covered with 1/4 inch of soil or mulch.


Establishment Phase: N/A.
Active Growth Phase: N/A.
Hardening Phase: N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Harvest Date: Late fall or early winter.

Total Time To Harvest: November.

Storage Conditions: Clean seeds stored in a temperature regulated seed room at 50§ Fahrenheit/50% Humidity. Forstorage longer than 1 year, seeds should be dried to 10-15% moisture and stored in airtight containers at 20-38§ F.
References: NRCS James E. `Bud' Smith Plant Materials Center, Knox City, Texas, Plant Collection Information, ECS-580; Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States, 641-644.

Citation:

Esquivel, Rudy G.. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Platanus occidentalis L. plants USDA NRCS - James E. "Bud" Smith Plant Materials Center Knox City, Texas. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.