How Do You Spell BUTTONWOOD?
Pronunciation: [bˈʌtənwˌʊd] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [bˈʌtənwˌʊd] (IPA)
Buttonwood is a noun that refers to a type of tree or more commonly, a nickname for the American sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis). The term "buttonwood" is primarily used in North America, particularly in the United States.
Buttonwood trees are native to the eastern and central parts of North America, including regions such as the Mississippi valley and the Appalachian Mountains. These large, deciduous trees are typically recognizable for their broad, lobed leaves, which turn a vibrant yellow in the fall. They can reach heights of up to 100 feet (30 meters) or more and have a characteristic mottled bark that peels off in patches to reveal lighter-colored inner layers.
The term "buttonwood" also has historical significance in the context of American finance. It refers to the buttonwood tree (specifically, a large buttonwood tree) that stood near Wall Street in New York City during the late 18th century. Under this tree, brokers and merchants gathered to trade stocks, establishing the foundation of what would later become the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, the buttonwood tree became a symbol of financial activity and capitalism.
In contemporary usage, "buttonwood" may also be used to refer to financial institutions or gatherings related to finance and investment, drawing upon the historical connotations associated with the buttonwood tree and its role in the early stock market.
The word "buttonwood" has an interesting etymology. It is derived from the Dutch word "boet-ingh-woede", which means "curly wood". The term was used by early Dutch settlers in America to refer to a species of tree known as the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). These trees have distinctive mottled bark, which peels off in patches, giving it a curly appearance. The word "buttonwood" eventually became the common term for this tree species. It is worth noting that the name Buttonwood also became associated with a street in Manhattan, New York, where early traders gathered under a large buttonwood tree in the late 18th century, which eventually led to the establishment of the New York Stock Exchange.
