In terms of beautiful bark for winter interest, you'll have to go a long way to beat Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), or its more popular cousin, London planetree (Platanus x acerifolia). When fall arrives and other trees have shed their flashy foliage and showy flowers, its time for sycamore to shine and show off bark that exfoliates (peels away from the tree) to reveal patches of olive brown, creamy white and soft tan.  Reason enough to plant in your yard, however not without some words of caution.  Both American sycamore and London planetree are succeptible to leaf Anthracnose, a disease which will virtually defoliate your tree during the month of June.  Not to worry, however, because Anthracnose has only one infectious period, meaning that the tree will leaf out again and retain its foliage until the end of the growing season.  Also - be careful where you plant either tree.  They are both capable of reaching over 100', but usually under specific growing conditions.  Nevertheless, use discretion when choosing a planting site.

For campus locations of other American sycamore, as well as London planetrees, click here.