American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
Prized quartersawn for its freckled 'lacewood' figure. Affordable and easy to work, but moves a lot, so quartersawn stock is the way to go.
Commonly built
- Lacewood-figure panels
- Butcher blocks
- Drawer boxes
Appearance
Pale tan to light reddish-brown with conspicuous ray flecks, quartersawn faces show a distinctive speckled, lacy figure.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works easily with sharp tools. Quartersawn for stability and figure; flatsawn moves and can warp. Glues and finishes well; the figure pops under a clear finish.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn american sycamore panel moves roughly 0.46 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does American Sycamore move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is American Sycamore?
American Sycamore has a Janka hardness of 770 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is American Sycamore suitable for outdoor use?
American Sycamore is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is American Sycamore to work with?
American Sycamore has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does American Sycamore move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn american sycamore panel moves roughly 0.46 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Quartersawn sycamore shows a distinctive lacewood fleck that finishes beautifully under a clear oil or film finish. Takes stain fairly evenly. Its fine grain finishes smoothly with minimal filling.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used american sycamore, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.