The leaves of Platanus occidentalis are simple, alternate, as wide or wider than long and palmately lobed with three strong veins from near the base. Male and female flowers are borne in separate, spherical heads (both male and female heads on each tree). Bark on large trunks peels irregularly to produce a striking pattern of dark-colored outer and light-colored inner bark.

Platanus occidentalis is widely distributed in the eastern U.S. from New Hampshire to Wisconsin and south to Georgia and Texas. In Wisconsin naturally occurring plants are mostly resticted to the southern two tiers of counties, but it is successfully cultivated at least as far north as Green Bay.