Dark green in summer, they become brilliant yellow in the fall. Sticky buds are another key feature of this tree. Leaves are 15 cm long and wide and are dark green in summer turning a dazzling orangish red and purple in the fall. Although superficially resembling a maple leaf, this tree possesses alternate rather than opposite branching. Grayish brown bark furrows with age.
Characteristic flowers provide the common name.
This tree is also commonly known as a Yellow Poplar and can be distinguished in the winter condition by cutting a twig transversely to reveal a star-shaped space in the pith. Platanus occidentalis Simple palmate leaf about 20 cm long and wide with 3 gentle lobes and broad serrations. The bark is the most distinguishing feature as its grayish brown and flakes off revealing large cream colored areas. Sassifras albidum Entire ovate leaves are 15 cm long by 10 cm wide. While some are unlobed, many have 3 pronounced rounded lobes.