American Sycamore Logs
for Sale & Wanted
Platanus occidentalis — American Planetree / Buttonwood
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is one of the largest eastern hardwoods, routinely growing 75-100 feet tall with diameters of 4-8 feet on mature specimens. It dominates riparian floodplains and river-bottom forests from Maine to Texas. Sycamore wood is straight-grained, moderately heavy, and displays a distinctive 'lacewood' figure on quartersawn surfaces — a freckled pattern caused by the conspicuous ray cells that run radially through the wood.
Market Insight — American Sycamore 2026
Sycamore is interlocked grain, which makes it difficult to split (historically a virtue — sycamore butcher blocks resist cracking under repeated chopping) but challenging to dry without warp. The color is a pinkish-brown heartwood with a wide pale sapwood. Its combination of hardness, stability once dried, and attractive quartersawn figure has kept sycamore in steady demand for butcher blocks, drawer sides, millwork, and specialty furniture applications.
Sycamore typically prices below oak and walnut but above pine or lower-grade gums. Standard delivered sawlog prices run $200–$400/MBF (Doyle), with large-diameter quartersawn-grade logs (16"+ SED, clear) bringing $400–$650/MBF or higher when sold to quartersawn specialty mills. Sycamore's bulk market absorbs large amounts of lower-grade stock for pallets, crates, and cabinet secondary stock.
About American Sycamore Timber
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is one of the largest eastern hardwoods, routinely growing 75-100 feet tall with diameters of 4-8 feet on mature specimens. It dominates riparian floodplains and river-bottom forests from Maine to Texas. Sycamore wood is straight-grained, moderately heavy, and displays a distinctive 'lacewood' figure on quartersawn surfaces — a freckled pattern caused by the conspicuous ray cells that run radially through the wood.
Sycamore is interlocked grain, which makes it difficult to split (historically a virtue — sycamore butcher blocks resist cracking under repeated chopping) but challenging to dry without warp. The color is a pinkish-brown heartwood with a wide pale sapwood. Its combination of hardness, stability once dried, and attractive quartersawn figure has kept sycamore in steady demand for butcher blocks, drawer sides, millwork, and specialty furniture applications.
Sycamore typically prices below oak and walnut but above pine or lower-grade gums. Standard delivered sawlog prices run $200–$400/MBF (Doyle), with large-diameter quartersawn-grade logs (16"+ SED, clear) bringing $400–$650/MBF or higher when sold to quartersawn specialty mills. Sycamore's bulk market absorbs large amounts of lower-grade stock for pallets, crates, and cabinet secondary stock.
Butcher Blocks
Resists splitting under chopping
Drawer Sides
Stable, hard, secondary stock
Millwork
Interior trim and cabinet backs
Lacewood Veneer
Quartersawn specialty
American Sycamore Grades & What Buyers Pay
| Grade | Key Requirements | Typical Buyers | Delivered Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartersawn Select | 16"+ SED, quartersaw-capable | Specialty mills, custom furniture | $450–$650/MBF |
| Select / No. 1 | 14"+ SED, 6'+ clear | Millwork, butcher block, drawer stock | $300–$450/MBF |
| No. 2 / Standard | 12"+ SED, sound | Pallet mills, industrial | $150–$300/MBF |
| Pulpwood | 4"+ top | Paper mills | $28–$50/ton |
Tips for Selling American Sycamore
- Quarter-sawing changes everything. A 16" sycamore log cut flat yields pallet-grade lumber. The same log quartersawn yields lacewood bringing 2-3× the price. If you have large diameter sycamore, find a buyer who will quartersaw it.
- Dry carefully or sell as logs. Sycamore is notorious for warping during air drying. Unless you have a proper kiln and experience with the species, sell as sawlogs rather than trying to produce lumber yourself.
- Move logs quickly. Sycamore sapstains and develops fungal discoloration fast in warm weather. Get logs to the mill within 2-4 weeks of felling in summer.
- Look for river-bottom volume. Mature sycamore trees are among the largest hardwoods in any Appalachian forest — a single 36" sycamore can produce 2-3 MBF of lumber. When cruising riverside tracts, sycamore volume is often underestimated.
- Don't mix with other species on the truck. Sycamore's rapid staining and heavy weight make it easier to price and sell in dedicated loads rather than mixed with oak or poplar.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Sycamore Logs
What are sycamore logs worth?
Standard delivered sycamore sawlogs run $200–$400 per MBF (Doyle). Select quartersawn-grade logs (16"+ SED, clear, suitable for lacewood specialty milling) can reach $450–$650/MBF. No. 2 and pallet-grade material runs $150-$300/MBF, and pulpwood averages $28-$50/ton.
What is 'lacewood'?
Lacewood is the trade name for quartersawn sycamore, named for its distinctive freckled or lacy figure caused by the large ray cells visible on the radial surface. True lacewood from sycamore commands premium prices in specialty millwork and custom furniture. (Note: several tropical woods are also marketed as 'lacewood,' but domestic lacewood is American sycamore.)
Why is sycamore used for butcher blocks?
Sycamore's interlocked grain structure makes it highly resistant to splitting under repeated impact — the key requirement for end-grain butcher blocks. The wood is hard enough to wear well but not so hard it dulls knives. Its closed grain also resists absorbing liquids and odors. Hard maple is the modern market leader, but sycamore is still used in restoration and specialty work.
Is sycamore hard to dry?
Yes — sycamore has interlocked grain and is prone to warp, cup, and twist during drying if not stickered and weighted properly. Many small mills have trouble with sycamore for this reason. Experienced kiln operators with good drying schedules produce excellent sycamore lumber, and the species has become more popular as techniques have improved.
Can I sell sycamore for veneer?
Yes, if you have large-diameter, clear logs. Quartersawn sycamore veneer (lacewood) has a small but steady market for custom architectural work and high-end furniture. The logs must typically be 18"+ SED with minimal defect — call veneer mills directly, as the market is limited and pricing is negotiated.
Does sycamore have the same value as oak or walnut?
Generally no. Sycamore prices typically run 30-50% below red oak and well below walnut. However, exceptional quartersawn-grade sycamore can approach oak pricing, and the species is much more abundant on river-bottom tracts than walnut — meaning volume often makes up for unit price.
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