The tallest, largest and oldest trees of the World are all native to California. So are the rarest pine, rarest fir and largest oak. California sycamore, Platanus racemosa, is loyal to this tradition of distinction. Although not the tallest sycamore, it might be the grandest. It develops gnarly and sculpturally irregular form. Some develop multiple massive trunks.
Because of its scale, California sycamore is uncommonly available from nurseries. It is simply not proportionate to home gardens or even big landscapes. Most old specimens are older than the landscapes around them. They are somewhat adaptable to landscape irrigation. However, increased moisture increases potential for spontaneous limb failure.
California sycamore can grow a hundred feet tall with bulky trunks and limbs. Old trees may exhibit scars from shedding limbs throughout their long lifespans. The mottled bark is gray and tan, and roughens only slowly with age. The deciduous foliage of such large trees is very copious through a long defoliation. Foliar tomentum (fuzz) is quite irritating.
Tony Tomeo 
Some bold claims there! Rarest fir for example. Which would that be?
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Abies bracteata, Santa Lucia fir or bristlecone fir is the rarest fir. Pinus torreyana, Torrey pine is the rarest pine. Sequoia sempervirens, coastal redwood (which is what grows wild here) is the tallest tree. Sequoiadendron giganteum is the largest tree. Pinus longaeva, bristlecone pine is the oldest tree. Quercus lobata, valley oak (which also grows wild here) is the largest oak.
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