Family: Platanaceae
Common Name: Plane Tree, Sycamore

Most of the six or seven species in this genus of large, deciduous trees from the northern hemisphere are native to North America and Mexico, with one from south-east Europe. They look somewhat like maples, but have very large, lobed leaves, opposite on the stems. Tolerant of pollution, they are widely planted as street trees and also as avenue plantings on large properties.

Species

Platanus x hispanica, zone 5, London plane, so-called for its extensive planting in that city, is also extensively grown in many other cities throughout the world. It is a large tree, to 35 m (115 ft), with a heavy trunk of mottled cream and blue-gray, flaking bark. The rounded fruits and leaves shed hairs which can cause respiratory problems in susceptible people.

P. occidentalis, zone 4, known as east-ern sycamore or buttonwood in its native United States, is a broad, spreading tree that can grow over 45 m (145 ft) tall.

P. orientalis, zone 6, oriental plane, from south-eastern Europe and western Asia, grows 30 m (100 ft) or more. Superficially similar to the London plane, the leaf lobes are very much narrower. This species is also popular as a street tree or for growing in parks and large gardens.

Cultivation

All species tolerate a wide range of conditions, but prefer to be grown in deep, good quality soils. They do best in areas where rainfall is reliable or where ample water is available. They can be pruned, but it is much better to allow then to attain their natural, broad-domed shape. Plane trees are easily propagated from seed, but they are very commonly grown from hardwood cuttings of dormant wood, taken in winter.

Climate

There are species suited to several climatic zones.