The Forestry Forum

I don't know how big sycamore trees get to be in other parts of the country, but I've know of a few large ones on the Iowa state fairgrounds for some time.  I was there this weekend for a home remodeling show and had a tape in the truck so I stopped and took a measurement.

This is truly a massive tree.....from the circumference measurement at shoulder height it calculates to be 4 1/2 ft in diameter.  Maybe not as big as some in southern states but impressive for here.
I don't know how old it might be but the two in my front yard are 50+ years old and might be 1/3 the diameter of this big one.\

Sorry...didn't think to take a pic.

Supposedly the rotten sycamore in MO were so large they could ride a horse inside.

Quote from: nativewolf on February 26, 2018, 09:39:31 AM
Supposedly the rotten sycamore in MO were so large they could ride a horse inside.

My largest tree is an old Southern Red Oak that has been lightening struck, not much longer to live.  It is almost 28' in circumference. My largest Chestnut oak is a child by comparison but 6'+ in diameter.  None of which are all that big in west coast conifer terms.

Quote from: D6c on February 26, 2018, 09:23:10 AMI don't know how big sycamore trees get to be in other parts of the country,

I sawed one about 6 ft in diameter and about 250 yrs old near Danbury, CT....
Monster Sycamore in Sawmills and Milling (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=58151.msg845841#msg845841)

Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on February 26, 2018, 10:37:48 AM

Quote from: D6c on February 26, 2018, 09:23:10 AMI don't know how big sycamore trees get to be in other parts of the country,

I sawed one about 6 ft in diameter and about 250 yrs old near Danbury, CT....
Monster Sycamore in Sawmills and Milling (http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=58151.msg845841#msg845841)

Impressive tree....they must be very long lived.
I noticed the other day there is a sycamore yard tree in a nearby town that is probably over 3' dia, that  for some reason they had a tree service cut all the limbs off but left the main trunk standing.  Maybe I should stop by and see what their plans are for the log.  No doubt there would be metal in the bottom 6' but there is plenty of log above that.

I love milling sycamore. When quarter sawn i think it is one of the most beautiful woods I have milled. Those are some mighty big logs though. Wouldn't want to manhandle them slabs.