Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers rich, humusy, consistently moist soils but will tolerate periods of drought. Generally tolerant of most urban pollutants. The best known ornamental feature of this huge tree is its brown bark which exfoliates in irregular pieces to reveal creamy white inner bark. Mature trees typically display mottled white bark so bold that identification is easy even from a great distance.
A wide range of wildlife species eat the seed heads of sycamore trees and live inside hollow trees, including Pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, flycatchers, chimney swifts, and raccoons. It is the larval host plant for the white-marked tussock moth.