Buttonball Tree

{{Short description|Exceptionally large American sycamore}}

{{Infobox tree

| name = Buttonball Tree

| image = Buttonball Sycamore in Sunderland, MA (March 2019).jpg

| alt =

| image_caption = Buttonball sycamore with an admirer in March 2019.

| species = American sycamore

| binomial = Platanus occidentalis

| location = North Main St., Sunderland, Massachusetts

| coordinates = {{coord|42|28|07.83|N|72|34|42.14|W|type:landmark_region:US|display=inline,title}}

| seeded = Before 1665

| felled =

| custodian = {{Plainlist|

• {{ill|Tree Care Industry Association|qid=Q7837535|s=1|v=sup}}
• International Society of Arboriculture

}}

}}

The Buttonball Tree is an exceptionally large American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) located in Sunderland, Massachusetts.

Though the nickname "buttonball" has been used for all like trees, this tree retained the name, mainly because of its pure size and popularity. As of November 2019, the tree was over {{convert|113|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} high, with a girth of {{convert|25|ft|8|in|0|abbr=on}} (at {{convert|4.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on|disp=or}} high) and a spread of {{convert|140|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. It is a remnant of Sunderland's forests. Because of their longevity, during the 17th and 18th century sycamores were sometimes planted at the door of new houses for newlyweds as "bride and groom" trees. Though the age of the tree is unknown, it is estimated to be well over 350 years old, with many estimates saying that the tree is closer to 400.[http://www.memorialhall.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=15760], Memorial Hall Digital Collection. Accessed October 13, 2009. The tree is well known and is one of the larger tourist attractions of the town.

The tree is believed to be the largest tree of its kind on the East Coast, or as locals put it, "The widest tree this side of the Mississippi."[http://www.townofsunderland.us/HAYRIDE.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211005245/http://www.townofsunderland.us/HAYRIDE.html# |date=2011-02-11 }}, Hayride tour of Historic Sunderland, Massachusetts. Accessed October 13, 2009.