Platano Orientale

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Platanaceae

Order

Proteales

Genus

Platanus

Species

orientalis

Description

First-class deciduous polyennial tree, over 20 metres tall. With its erect habit and dense, globular crown, it confers high ornamental value due to its imposing plant architecture, its characteristic spotted-looking plaque-like bark and the foliage shown during the autumn period when the large, green, webbed leaves gradually turn yellow, giving light and elegance to the entire plant. Versatile, it adapts to different soil and environmental conditions, making it ideal for urban spaces such as tree-lined avenues or park areas, where it is tolerant of summer heat and de-icing salt, as well as for private gardens and residential greenery, taking care to ensure a suitable growing space in proportion to its size.

Variety description

Large tree and one of the most widespread in Europe. Elegant and regular growth habit, rapid growth, bark with variegated and flaking spots; broad, open ovoid crown, deep green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Fruit pendulous and round, woody with thorns. Excellent adaptability to various soil types and growing environments, including urban climates. Requires a sunny exposure, but tolerates partly shady areas. Develops a deep root in the soil, with many secondary roots; prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Can tolerate ground cover, but root development at maturity can alter the ground cover. Resistant to de-icing salt. Multi-purpose tree, suitable for park areas, urban and suburban boulevards, gardens, residential and industrial greenery; also recommended for rural landscaping, but not for roofing. Possesses good resistance

Curiosities and special features

The oriental plane tree has assumed ornamental importance since antiquity when in classical Greece or Roman civilisation it was considered a symbol of beauty and wealth so much so that it became the protagonist of public outdoor areas and private gardens.

The wood of the plane tree is defined as medium-hard with good physical-technological as well as aesthetic characteristics that make it suitable for making furniture or building parts such as beams.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the central-eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. Its hybridisation with Platanus occidentalis, which first occurred in the 17th century in Spain and other scientific research in England, gave rise to the Common Platanus(Platanus x acerifolia).

Leaf

The leaf of the Oriental Platanus gives added ornamental value by displaying the distinctive broad palmate lamina to which the same generic epithet, Platanus, meaning broad, wide, refers. The leaf margin is frequently slightly lobed and toothed, thus distinguishing it from that of the Western Platanus.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from early spring to late spring for 10 to 20 days, displaying inconspicuous male and female inflorescences similar to those of the common plane tree, followed by the distinctive globular infructescences borne by long peduncles.

Leaf colour

The colour of the leaves, at first a solid colour and then gradually taking on yellow shades during the autumn period, also lends the Oriental plane tree elegance and distinctiveness.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 8 to 40 m, representing a prime tree that requires a space commensurate with its final size to express its best vegetative vigour free of stress conditions with possible failure.

Lifespan

Deciduous polyannual tree.

Where to plant

Due to its size and wide open crown, it is suitable for use in open fields Thanks to its adaptability to different soil conditions and growing environments, the Oriental Plane tree is widely used in urban and non-urban settings in tree-lined boulevards and park areas as well as in outdoor residential recreational spaces.

Stem

The stem is woody, cylindrical and, due to the good apical dominance, columnar.

The bark, which is characteristic of the genus Platanus, is at first almost smooth and greenish and then becomes flaky and variegated spots in different shades of grey, giving it a spotted appearance of considerable decorative value.

Bark plates tend to be more persistent in Platanus orientalis than in P. occidentalis and P. x acerifolia.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth tree.

Plant habit

Upright tree with initially pyramidal crown that later becomes globular and expanded.

Branching

abundant and sympodial with large main branches and the base of the stem often lacking branches.

PH

It prefers soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, in the optimal range of 6.0 to 7.0. Also pay attention to the irrigation water, preferably sub-acidic, so as not to alter the optimal acidity level required by the plant.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring or late autumn, choose the most suitable location, depending on the needs of the plant, and use a spade to make the planting hole of a size proportionate to the root ball. The planting soil should preferably be of a medium consistency, free of weeds and bulky pebbles; it is advisable to bury organic matter and to apply organic pelleted fertiliser for a basic fertilisation to ensure that the plant is supplied with nutrients in the early post-transplant phase.

Sun exposure

In the pre-transplant phase, choose positions exposed to full sun.

Use

For its role as an attractive focal point thanks to its vegetal architecture and autumn foliage effect, it is appreciated at the design and execution level in both public and private green areas, such as

Ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic tree, it shows good ecological adaptability by tolerating hot summer climates.

Soil

Suitable for various soil types and growing environments, however, the best soil condition is well-drained, fresh, deep soil with a suitable organic matter content.

Difficulty

Cultivation of the Oriental plane tree is easy, with an overall average level of management effort; care must be taken to prune correctly.

Growing tips

Here are some specific tips and cultivation aspects to achieve better vegetative growth:

Avoid over-watering Correct pruning

Indiscriminate pruning of stems and branches by 'pruning off' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as to a greater danger of failure of the entire specimen.

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 2000 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'. It is advisable to place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the plant collar off the soil surface. Water after transplanting without causing water stagnation.

Pruning

Carry out training pruning in winter to shape the shape of the foliage and determine its structure as well as adjust the scaffolding of the branches. Proceed by making clean cuts with sharp, clean blades.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by cuttings or grafting.

Watering

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions and provide quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation by applying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the soil, thus guaranteeing the nutrients needed during the plant's establishment in the new planting site.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible Species.

Tip

It represents a tree capable of healing wounds in a medium-short time. Robust wood with excellent stability even with localised signs of decay (always to be assessed with an expert). Wood suitable for many uses; also for construction.