Golf ball sized orbs with tiny little spikes all over them. These were found behind the cabin. One was broken open to reveal loads of seeds. What in the world?

Scratching my head brought about an answer. These are seed balls of American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), a tree that I know well, but hadn’t paid any attention to the flowers or the seed balls. The flowers, both male and female on the same tree are rather inconspicuous. The seed balls usually fall from the trees in late winter and early spring.

Don’t be confused by the number of trees that have the same common name of Sycamore. This one has the scientific name of Platanus occidentalis, and no other tree has that name. It’s native to southeastern Canada and the central and eastern United States.

The bark of the American Sycamore is ragged, shedding its outer surface, exposing a lovely, quite pale yellowish-green to almost white color. Makes me think of marble tree trunks.

The leaves of the American Sycamore are reminiscent of a Maple leaf. Maple leaves though are opposite on their branches while the Sycamore leaves are alternate.

I’m captivated by streams that are outlined by these trees. Trees of marble marking the meandering flow of the water. Beautiful.

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