Tuesday’s on the Trail–The Sycamores of Los Gatos Creek

Today, the dog and I decided to get outside and enjoy the nice weather after our welcome rain a couple of days ago. We always like to go out after a rain. Everything has been washed clean and has a nice, fresh smell, especially around the wooded areas.

For today’s walk, we went along the Los Gatos Creek trail from the bridge by the third percolation pond off Dell Avenue for about a mile to the next bridge by Lark Avenue. I just love those areas by the creek! I think folks have done a pretty good job in keeping those areas as natural and wild as possible. A nice thing to have close by in this age of pavement, strip malls and apartment complexes.

If you’re out along the trail here you can’t go far without noticing the wonderful sycamore trees that live along the path and next to the creek. At this time of year, they have shed their leaves, are resting for the Winter and getting ready for the growing season ahead. It’s a good time to take pictures of them because you can see the mighty trunks and limbs with their white-ish bark. So, that’s what I did. I hope you enjoy the attached pictures of the sycamores of Los Gatos Creek!

Platanus racemosa is a species of sycamore tree known by several common names, including California sycamore, Western sycamore, California plane tree, and in Spanish, Aliso. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in canyons, along streams and rivers in several types of habitats. It tolerates a wide range of soil textures, acidic to alkaline, wet and compacted, but dry soil can lead to a short life for this native riparian tree. Trees in the Sycamore family are valued for their wood as well. It is used for everything from musical instruments to cutting boards. These trees have been considered sacred by many people throughout ancient history.

The California Sycamore provides food and nesting sites for birds including red-tailed hawks, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds. It is a food source for the larva of the western tiger swallowtail butterfly. Many small birds feed on its fruit, and several mammals eat its twigs and bark. The pollen and hairs on the leaves and flowers can be allergens for some people. I, personally, love the smell of sycamore leaves. They have a nice, sharp, acidic smell to them.

I read that a sycamore on the campus of Stanford University has a trunk diameter of 10½ feet! Another, in Santa Barbara, was measured in 1945 and was found to have a trunk diameter of 8½ feet and was 116 feet tall. I wonder if it is still alive today and how big it is now, 67 years later ?

Well, that’s all for this installment of Tuesday’s on the Trail. Next time, in Garden News, I’d like to write a bit about community gardens and the importance of growing local here in Campbell.

Until next time,

Steve A.

"A tree is a wonderful living organism which gives shelter, food, warmth and protection to all living things. It even gives shade to those who wield an axe to cut it down" – Buddha.