Oct 27, 2016 the secret history of the london plane tree. First discovered in london thanks to john tradescant in. Leaves maplelike, palmately lobed, to 20cm in width. A london planetree by levy, amy and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Three species in the platanus genus are widely used as shade trees. White, amy levy was a british poet and novelist who is celebrated for her feminist positions and her engagement with homosexual romance during the victorian era. It is usually thought to be a hybrid of platanus orientalis oriental plane and platanus occidentalis american sycamore. The tough immigrant tree that represents new york the new. The london planetree is believed to have resulted from a cross between the oriental planetree and the american sycamore.
Even the tree wizard on arbor days website spits out the london planetree as the only tree matching my criteria. Facts about sycamores include their recognizable features, landscape uses. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Natural history museum magazine a brilliant book that will appeal to everyone. So the best way for me to learn is to talk about them and on video. Alison kinney examines new yorks history with the london plane tree, a hardworking. Today i am exploring the history and identifying marks the london plane, an urban tree found in cities and towns up and down the country. Under the platanes french plane trees mirabeau en provence. New york presbyterian rick evans, chief experience officer planetree teaches us about communication with each other, with patients, with families.
The london planetree is a hybrid cross between sycamore platanus occidentalis and oriental planetree platanus orientalis. Lifestyle london life london s best trees did you know that london is officially a forest. By the 1920s around 60 per cent of trees in london were london planes. Bloodgood london planetree is a rapid growing shade tree. The hub of most french villages, especially in provence, plane trees are symbolic of socialising and spending time with loved ones. London plane tree platanus texture pattern nature leggings. The london plane is most likely a hybrid between the american sycamore and the majestic oriental plane.
Rare photos not appropriate for history books youtube. Heres what plant historians have to say about the history of the plane tree. Plane tree facts whats the history of the london plane tree. Platanus x acerifolia there is no tougher tree than the london plane. Aprils best books now, more than ever, is the time to lose yourself in a good book. Exclamation is an upright, pyramidal tree with a uniform and densely branched habit. London planes and american sycamores growing history. Although sapfeeding insects can carry the fungus from tree to tree naturally, the most severe outbreaks are usually traced to pruning and other work on the trees. Apparently, some people are allergic to the tiny hairs or sawdust from these trees, so do not be surprised if that reason is used to have a plane tree removed.
Most significant aspects of cultural history apply to platanus orientalis in the old world. This very popular shade tree was planted extensively throughout europe because it is very tolerant of urban conditions. It features extraordinary exfoliating bark that starts at a young age and adds beauty to this variety as it matures. Plane trees, also called london plane trees, are natural hybrids that developed in the wild in europe. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Jun 06, 2011 beware of trees like the london plane that are easy to grow, but have other problems. It became immediately popular amongst treeplanting enthusiasts. What did our ancestors think about trees, and how were they used in the past. The plane tree is a member of the sycamore family and bears the scientific name platanus x acerifolia. I was leaning toward our native american sycamore, but there seems to be an even split amung the experts, with some recommending the hybrid london planetree as superior our native tree. Recent observations indicate susceptibility to ozone, which may limit its use in urban environments. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9a. A field guide to the urban forest by paul wood isbn. London plane trees are tall, elegant specimens that have graced the busy streets of the city for generations.
It is a little shorter and more squat than the american tree and usually has bristly, paired seedballs. A short guide to the london plane highbury fields association. Find out why the london plane tree is so frequently planted in our cities, and. Despite the geographic separation between north america and old world, species from these continents will cross readily resulting in fertile hybrids such as the london plane. Images of the london plane tree platanus acerifolia, including photos of the leaf, flower, fruit, seed, petiole, bark, and tree. The secret history of the london plane tree londonist. The original london plane tree was probably discovered by john tradescant the younger in his mid17thcentury london garden.
May 31, 2018 as far as we know plane tree wilt hasnt reached the uk, but it is spread by human activity and so perhaps the heavy hand of history and human action that helped to create the london plane tree may ultimately also be its undoing. There are fossil records of plane trees as early as 115 million years the lower cretaceous. The london plane tree is botanically called platanus acerifolia. There is a long history behind the carbonabsorbing leaves and branches that shade our pavements. At the beginning of august, 2012, 8 of the 222 new plane trees had been planted in a double avenue, and works completed include new lamps, pathways and grassed areas. The tree grows in almost any soil acidic or alkaline, loamy, sandy or clay.
It is a large, rounded tree to 60 tall with deep green leaves that turn a poor yellow in fall. The new avenue of london plane trees along the augustaanlage in mannheim, the german city. But mainly how to grow a london plane share your advice or ask questions on our forum. London plane in the garden of the bishops palace in ely. There are indeed plane trees that go back to the nineteenth century, but also. The london plane is of hybrid origin it is the offspring of two different species, the american sycamore platanus occidentalis and the oriental plane platanus orientalis, and it is a tree that did not exist prior to european colonization of the new world.
Bloodgood london planetree is a classic shade tree that is resistant to anthracnose, tolerant to urban pollutants, and can grow in a wide range of soil types. A london planetree, and other verse internet archive. Plane trees with reduced crowns, left, and showing natural growth, right. Tree information on growing, planting, pruning, maintenance, ripening, taste, pick or bonsai tips. While the exact details of the trees origin have been lost over time, it was discovered that this hybrid could tolerate the smoke and grime of london. Plants profile for platanus hispanica london planetree. Apr, 2005 the plane trees of london are the lungs of the city.
Sycamore trees are massive, distinctive and impressive. The first account of the oriental plane in britain is found in william turners 1548 book. It is not known how old a london plane may become because none is known to have died of old age. But during construction of the new housing, the roots of three large london plane trees were severely damaged such that it was seen necessary to cut back their branches to assist regeneration of the roots and to preserve their stability in strong wind. As our capital is 20 per cent covered by trees it is, in fact, the largest urban forest in the world. The mysterious history of the london plane tree trees for cities.
The tree at mottisfont abbey is bigger, but that is a fusion of two trees as can be seen at old photos, when two trees. Other articles where london plane tree is discussed. Beware of trees like the london plane that are easy to. While the exact details of the tree s origin have been lost over time, it was discovered that this hybrid could tolerate the smoke and grime of london. Platanus x acerifolia london plane 25l bag please see our tree planting guide and guarantee before purchasing. The london plane tree is a large growing shade tree that is easy to grow and tolerant of most soil situations. It has a colorful pattern of defoliating bark that can be olive, yellow, and ivory in color. Beware of trees like the london plane that are easy to grow. At the very least i want to be able to identify them. The london plane tree is able to withstand the many assaults of urban life. It gives beautiful cover, and provides much shade and coolness. London plane is an important landscape tree because of its resistance. It became immediately popular amongst tree planting enthusiasts. A tree with gritty roots london planes, like these in cadman plaza in brooklyn, make up more than 15 percent of all street trees in new york city.
Despite the fossil record of the plane tree going back 115 million years, the tree we know so well as the london plane came into existence only around the middle of the seventeenth century. The frequency of the occurrence of the common hybrid plane within the city has given rise to the common english name for these of london plane. Plane trees are among the most numerous large street and park trees planted in greater london. It became know as the london planetree because of its popularity in london, england. Family platanaceae genus platanus are vigorous, large deciduous trees of stately appearance, with maplelike foliage and attractively patterned bark. They are often known in english as planes or plane trees. The london plane tree has worked tirelessly for the city cleaning its air and shading its. The london plane is a large deciduous tree growing 2030 m 6698 ft, exceptionally over 40 m 1 ft tall, with a trunk up to 3 m 10 ft or more in circumference. Leafsnap is an electronic field guide for tree and plant species in new york city and washington, dc. Other common names london plane mapleleaved plane synonyms platanus. However, when it comes to the history of the plane tree, horticulturalists are uncertain. The mysterious history of the london plane tree trees for.
Images of the london plane tree platanus acerifolia. This has now fallen to an estimated 4 per cent in central london and even lower on the outskirts. If lower soil is regularly saturated, roots are confined to upper soil. Learn about london plane trees in the landscape the plane tree is a member of the sycamore family and bears the scientific name platanus x acerifolia. Augustine henry directed attention to certain well.
Check back regularly to find your next favourite book. Tree profile for the london plane urban forest nursery, inc. The tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 30 m 99 ft high. Weve been really successful in reducing turnover and increasing the staff engagement and staff satisfaction. Dec 06, 2012 plane trees were widely used in france in the early and mid19th century, first planted along roadsides on the orders napoleon to provide shade for troops and travellers moving through the country, and by country estate owners to create green cathedrallike grand allees through their landscaped parks. The london plane can develop massive trunks with spreading crowns, and live for centuries. These trees appear to be much taller than all the american sycamores that i have seen around rochester.
This fascinating book will answer many of your questions, but also reveal interesting. Mar 02, 2020 sometimes, as in gladstone park dollis hill, plane trees have been used to form informal avenues along the winding roads that run through the park. They proudly stand witness to the intimate moments of cooler months just as easily as the bustling gatherings of village festivals and events. This tree will grow in good soil or poor, moist or dry and acid or alkaline clay. The mysterious history of the london plane tree trees. This exclamation cultivar grows quickly as a young tree that eventually forms a pyramidal form and with age will spread a broad outline. The living cells of the wood in the phloem, cambium and sapwood are invaded quickly soon after a fresh wound exposes those cells.
In an article on the artificial production of vigorous trees, an abstract of which was pub lished in nature, january 7, 1915, p. The hybridised plane trees that arrived in london from spain and france late in the 17th. Jan 08, 2018 i am on a mission in 2018 to learn about trees. Bloodgood planetree, a selection of the tough london planetree that is widely planted in urban areas, is a large shade tree with a broad open crown and bark that exfoliates to reveal patches that may be creamy white, yellow, or olivecolored. Plant health care recommendations for london plane tree london plane platanus x acerifolia is a hybrid sycamore resulting from crosses of american sycamore and oriental sycamore. The tree likes sun at the location and the soil should be sandy to loamy. Like all sycamores, the london plane has bark that peels away in irregular patches to show creamy whitishgreen inner bark. Plane tree information suggests that plane trees grow best in full sun, but they also thrive in partial shade. So next time youre passing a line of venerable old london planes, take a look up and admire their strength and. Fortunately, there are plenty of those appearing this april. This is not a problem for lilyofthenile and many other perennials that can sneak their. Alternatives consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area. Before then, american sycamores and oriental planes were kept separate by an ocean.
Librivox recording of a london planetree, and other verse, by amy levy. Its pendent, smooth, ballshaped seed clusters usually dangle singly and often persist after leaf fall. Like london plane, several other trees and plants can survive excessive moisture, but only by adapting. The oldest trees of this species date from first plantings around 166080. London planetree is a better choice than the native american sycamore platanus occidentalis because of its resistant to anthracnose. The characteristics that have made the london plane so popular in london have also made it a success in many major cities around the world. London plane tree growing is not difficult if you live in u. Providing green eye candy, cleaning up air pollution and providing temperature and water control, they are tough enough to survive city. It is easy to transplant, grows fast in almost any soil, and can tolerate more root impact than any other tree species. Exclamation london planetree buy online, best prices. They grow in usda zones 4 through 10, in full sun or light shade. Green is the planetree in the squarethe other trees are brownthey droop and pine for country air. Tradescant was an avid plant collector and botanist, a prime example of.
Its green leaves are around 4 to 9 inches wide with three to five lobes, and its fall foliage is a rather plain yellowbrown. The bark is usually pale greygreen, smooth and exfoliating, or buffbrown and not exfoliating. A field guide to the urban forest was published in 2017. Here, where your garden fenced about and still is, her. They have a unique bark that acts like an air filter to the surrounding polluted air. It took a long time for these lovers to meet the two trees thwarted by growing on opposite sides of the globe. Genus platanus are vigorous, large deciduous trees of stately appearance, with maplelike foliage and attractively patterned bark details p. As available space is reduced in our urban areas, there will be an even greater call for smaller, shorter, and narrower trees all over town. A fully revised edition of london s street trees will be published in early april 2020. The plant tolerates poor cultural conditions, including heatdrought and poor soil. In french, the tree is called platane a feuilles derable, meaning platane tree with maple leaves. Screens and shelterbelts of plane trees on the margins of parkland, playing fields, and other open spaces, are also fairly common, as will be noticed in many longer rail journeys across london.
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