Looks rather small to be doing anything except getting it in the ground.

Ken-they're all over Disney. They grow well, seem to drop their leaves around Jan/Feb then releaf a few weeks later. From the few times I've been down there in winter/spring.

super... then what i said about planting it.. and patience ...

and get rid of that green thing ... and i doubt i would even stake it... at this age ... they are supposed to blow in the wind.. unless your soil requires such ...

i do NOT know FL horticulture .... but here is my best guess .... if no one here can be more specific ... call you COUNTY extension office and ask for guidance ....

i would plant 6 to 8 weeks before its supposed to releaf.. giving the roots time to get working.. before the new set of leaves ... but with what hair said... i dont know .... it wouldnt bother me.. if i did it early.. and the leaves fell off early ... a sacrifice to getting the roots working .... after transplants.. getting the roots to survive is the number 1 issue ... even if it loses all its leaves .... [if the roots die.. there is nothing for the leaves to feed...]

as noted.. i will defer to anyone with FL experience ... but the theory.. remains the same ... timing.. timing.. timing ...

ken

ps: if it were summer ... and that pot any smaller.. i would tell you to shade the pot.. so it didnt heat up too much.... roots like it cool ...

There is absolutely no reason not to plant it now. As to how close to the house should you plant it, that depends on how you want to configure the shade qualities it will eventually produce and on its mature size. Depending on species, most sycamores can get to be very large trees with wide spreading canopies. Typically, you would not want to plant any closer to the structure than half the expected mature canopy spread but calculating shade production may increase that distance. You can check online for formulas to help you with that calculation.

There is no need to do any pruning at this point so I'd suggest you read up on structural training for shade trees to know when to begin and how to go about it. This link should be very helpful in that regard. And for clarification, sycamores will develop a decurrent growth habit so focus in on training/pruning methods that address that characteristic.

Third the 'no pruning needed now' motion.

Thanks everyone - for taking the time to respond to a newbie !! Lots of great info and both links were very helpful.

Getting rid of the "green thing" ken_ :) and I think I'll take your advice about planting during a dormant period to avoid shock.

Gardengal. Found a formula for trees over 50ft, suggests 30-40 ft from structure, which I feel good about - thanks for the tip. Also, will educate myself of those methods you suggested.

Thanks again!!!!!

Nikki, for the most part, plants "know" how to grow. That is, this sycamore will-all on its own-develop exactly the type of crown shape and size it "should have". And while I'm only slightly versed in FL horticulture-and I do know enough to realize some things are different down there-sycamores typically become tall, widespreading trees. I think this guy will do exactly what it is you seek.

+oM

One last thing to consider: someone will likely be generating some power/hot water on top of that roof in less than 20 years unless trees or adjacent structures are shading the roof. Ensuring most of the canopy is outside of the peak generation access zone will result in minimal pruning of the tree.

That's a great point, Dan. Rooftop solar is so vital. Interesting aside: As recently as the 1950s, large numbers of Florida homes had solar hot water. Somehow, this common-sense idea faded away.

+oM

I have a book coming out on the topic, so I agree it is vital. ;o)

Best,

D

You're probably therefore much more well-versed in this topic than I, but just thinking big-picture, all the rooftops in the world are potential power generation sites. I cringe at seeing a big area of natural land covered with solar collectors. It really seems to me that somebody is forgetting something when they advocate for that sort of thing. But rooftop-to me, that is the ideal situation for collectors. Those roofs are going to be there anyway.

+oM

Many rooftops are not oriented to receive energy and must be retrofitted, but I agree that a significant fraction of urban power can be generated from rooftops - and soon, windows. And hot water is an easy one. If a rural village in India can generate solar hot water, we can.

The sycamores around Disney's parks look the same as the ones up here do. The only difference is they seem less affected by anthracnose, and don't lose their leaves until January or so.