Well, maybe not. See Acer pseudoplatanus.

Interesting. I wonder how common that tree is? No wonder the settlers were
confused. Apparently, botanists agree from their use of 'pseudo' on the
name. Dan


http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T465.HTM

Platanus occidentalis, as noted is the American "sycamore," though I
imagine
it's like our robin, named after the British Isles type by homesick
settlers. The "button" in buttonwood that I know comes from the shape of
the seeds.

If you like Latin binomial nomenclature, look up the American robin....

"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message
news:24old.27582$V41.10702@attbi_s52...
American Sycamore (Platanus Occidentalis, aka Planetree) is a good
turning
wood. In the UK, it is called maple (but is unrelated to what we call
maple
(Acer)) and used extensively for treen. Sycamore has the unique quality
of
being able to handle repeated saturations with water and not check.
That's
why it is used so often for wooden spoons. I don't know if it was used
to
make buttons, but its water qualities would mean you could leave the
buttons
attached when washing shirts. Like Stemo says, it turns very well when
green. Dan