P. racemosa is a vigorous, broadly columnar, deciduous tree with flaking, grey bark and variably-lobed, dark green leaves, velvety when young. Inconspicuous flowers in spring are followed by clusters of green fruit ripening brown.
Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
The California sycamore grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It is moderately drought-tolerant once well-established.
