Plane Trees
What are they?
Plane Trees form their own family, the Platanaceae and are most easily identified by their flaking bark, broad, rather maple-like leaves and their seed capsules that hang in rounded clusters from slender stalks. Though this might seem straightforward, confusion has been caused by the different English names that have fallen into common usage over time. In North America, the American Plane (Platanus occidentalis) is commonly referred to as 'Sycamore' - a name which in Europe is used for a maple, (Acer pseudoplatanus). Both these names have come about from misplaced use of 'sycamore', which is name from ancient times that originally belonged to a fig species - Ficus sycamorus.
Where are they found?
The London Plane has become very popular as a street tree in inner city areas and acquired its English name from its common use in London. The flaking bark of plane trees makes them unusually tolerant of inner city pollution, as grime that builds up on the trunk is lost periodically when the bark sheds. These trees rarely - if ever - self-propagate in our region and are thus only likely to be found where originally planted.
Identification
The basic features described above (flaky bark, maple-like leaves and hanging seed capsules) identify this group readily. They differ further from maples in having alternate (not opposite) leaves and in having copious amounts of fine hairs on the young growths that rub off as a powdery dust. The male and female flowers are carried in separate clusters on different branches of the tree or on different sections of the same branch. Individual species are best told apart by the leaf shape.
London Plane Platanus x hispanicus
This plant arose in cultivation as a hybrid between Oriental and American Planes. Frequent as a street tree in the larger towns and cities of the region and occasionally planted elsewhere. Flowers May. A large tree to over 40m in height. The seed capsules are carried in groups of 2-4.
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
||
| |
|
Oriental Plane Platanus orientalis
Introduced from SE Europe as a garden ornamental. Not recorded for our region in the wider countryside, but occasional trees may be noted in city parks or other amenity areas. Flowers May. Very similar to London Plane but with more deeply fingered leaves. The seed capsules are carried in groups of 3-6.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|