Thanks for being here. I have returned to the southern midwest where I grew up and had forgotten how much I loved the sycamore trees. What were some traditional uses for this tree?
Zack, I could go on and on about this species use as a fire plant (for friction fires), or for other utilitarian uses, but its greatest use (if I can be so bold to state) is using it as syrup. It can be tapped (like maples) and the sap boiled down to create a wonderfully sweet syrup (different from maples, but still divine). It takes more work as the sap needs to be concentrated about three times (very rough estimate) that of maples. Enjoy.
When I was a small boy, the seed pods were used as 'itching powder'. This tradition was usually passed down from the 6th graders to the 1st and 2nd graders, usually down the back of their shirts.
