Sycamore Study #1, Witches Brooms. 2006. 18 x 24 in, acrylic on canvas. Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) live 250-600 years, are abundant in southern Michigan. The natural bark patterns are tan, gray, and pale yellow and look somewhat like camouflage. The trees are loners, that is, they don’t grow in clusters or groves. The trees’ fruits are called witches brooms.