All species / American Sycamore

American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

Butcher blocks, boxes, drawer parts and quartersawn panels with striking ray fleck.

The data

Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)1,420,000 psi

Specific gravity (12% MC)0.49

Janka hardness770 lbf

Average dried weight34.0 lb/ft³

Shrinkage, radial (green → dry)5.0%

Shrinkage, tangential8.4%

Shrinkage, volumetric14.1%

Movement classAverage movement

Stiffness & hardness: USDA Wood Handbook (Table 5-3 class data). Shrinkage: USDA Wood Handbook. Full sourcing notes are in our data documentation on the guides page — values print with their source so you can check us.

Shelf span guide — American Sycamore

Longest span that stays at or under the 0.02 in/ft long-term standard, floating ends, load spread evenly:

Shelf	15 lb/ft	25 lb/ft	35 lb/ft
3/4 in thick, 11 in deep	33 in	28 in	25 in
1 in thick, 11 in deep	44 in	37 in	33 in

Quick sag check — American Sycamore

Span (in)

Depth (in)

Thickness (in)

Total load (lb)

Full options — edging strips, fixed ends, centered loads — in the Shelf Sag Calculator.

Quick movement check — American Sycamore

Width across grain (in)

Cut

From MC (%)

To MC (%)

Full options in the Wood Movement Calculator.