hardwood · Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore wood properties
Also known as: sycamore.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Platanus occidentalis |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,420,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.55 |
| Density (approx) | 34 lb/ft³ (2.9 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 770 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 8.4% / 5% |
| Region | Eastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Sycamore weighs about 11.4 lb (roughly 34 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 770 lbf is harder than about 33% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: veneer, plywood, interior trim, flooring, furniture.
Durability: From non-durable to perishable; insects bore in with ease.
Workability: Easy to handle, though interlocked grain may hinder machining; finishes, glues and turns well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Sycamore:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). American sycamore is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional-change table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability, workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.