The Sycamore Tree - Platanus occidentalis - in which this eagle is perching, is one of the more interesting trees in this area, to my mind. They are one of the oldest known trees, being around since the cretaceous-tertiary period over 66 million years ago - and an individual tree can live up to 600 years old (though usually they only make about 150 ). A common name for them in my youth was 'Buttonwood' and at one time I read that it was because of the fine grain in the wood they were often used to make buttons, however an internet search did not confirm this (I believe that it is true and I will have to resort to real books for that information, eh?), but the following shows that the name 'Buttonwood' has been around for a good while: "
The terms under which the New York Stock Exchange was formed are called the "Buttonwood Agreement," because it was signed under a buttonwood (sycamore) tree at 68 Wall Street, New York City in 1792."
The terms under which the New York Stock Exchange was formed are called the "Buttonwood Agreement," because it was signed under a buttonwood (sycamore) tree at 68 Wall Street, New York City in 1792."
