PlantFiles: Mexican Sycamore
Platanus mexicana

Absolutely beautiful shade tree; very long-lived, fast growing, and damned tall to boot (60' -- 100'). When I moved into my home two years ago, the three year-old sapling was already as tall as the house...now it's double the height. Mexican Sycamore is also very drought tolerant, keeping its vibrant green leaves with only a slight browning of the edges after a three-month drought. In full sun. In fact, I believe it single-handedly (rather, single-branchedly) saved my yard from bursting into flames. Had I more space, I would definitely plant another. It doesn't produce any spectacular flower, or turn in the fall, but the thick shade it provides more than justifies growing one.