The London Plane (Platanus orientalis acerifolia)

The London Plane (Platanus orientalis acerifolia) stands first in the category of select town trees, as it grows vigorously, and is well adapted for withstanding smoke and other impurities in the atmosphere. Repeated experiments have clearly proved that in London this tree flourishes better than any other, and a visit to the parks, public squares, or the Thames Embankment will substantiate the statement. There is a fine old tree at Cheapside, and an equally beautiful specimen, which has hardly room for perfect development, in the Court of Stationers' Hall, Lud-gate Hill. Other notable specimens exist in Staple Court, High Holborn, and in Dean's Court, St. Paul's. There being a diversity of opinion as to which variety of Plane it is, it may be stated that, on a careful examination of a large number of specimens, the variety P. o. acerifolia was found not only more commonly distributed, but likewise better suited for town planting than the typical P. orientalis. This valuable variety is readily distinguished from the American Plane (P. occidentalis), with which it is not infrequently confounded, by the many fruit "balls" which are attached to each peduncle, the fruits of P. occidentalis being for the greater part produced singly. But not only because it succeeds so well as a town tree is the Oriental Plane much sought after; the large size to which it grows, coupled with the handsome, finely-cut leaves and easy habit of growth, render it one of the most ornamental of trees. Another good quality is that it succeeds extremely well in soils of very opposite description. In midwinter the beautifully marbled stem of grey and yellow caused by the shedding of the bark in large irregular patches, renders the Plane one of the most picturesque of our woodland trees. In Port-man and Manchester Squares specimens have attained to a size rarely exceeded by the tree when growing under more favourable atmospheric conditions. Other examples of equally rapid growth and development are the beautiful trees in Bedford, Russell and Gordon Squares, also in Lincoln's Inn Fields, many being fully 70ft. in height, with a branch spread of 80 ft. and a stem girth of from 5 to 6 ft. at 3 ft. from the ground level. No doubt in all these cases the healthy condition and giant proportions to which they have attained are mainly due to the care with which the trees were planted and to good management in timely pruning and providing ample room for the development of root and branch. But in many other of the London squares, where the atmosphere is by no means pure, the Plane tree may be seen in all its glory of leaf and branch. It is, however, not only in the squares and gardens of the great metropolis that the Plane thrives in a satisfactory manner, but even where the tree is hemmed in by buildings. There are many examples at Cheapside, in the Tower of London, at Ludgate Hill, and in not a few of the old and disused churchyards, where the heated, dusty, and otherwise impure atmosphere is almost stifling. The main points to be attended to in producing healthy, well-developed specimens of the Plane are providing a suitable medium in which to plant the tree, careful pruning in the matter of ungainly branches and leading shoots, and allowing a clear space for the spread of the branches.

It has long been suspected that the Plane tree causes throat and lung troubles, and the notes by Lord Walsingham and Dr. Henry in The Times still further heighten the suspicion. Several instances have come under my own notice of throat troubles being attributed to the presence of the Plane tree; and a notable case in which some of the occupants of an official residence at a well known public building in the West Central district of London have required to leave their abode owing, it is thought, to the presence of Plane trees around the buildings, is at present being inquired into. Not only do the seeds give off the spiculae that so irritate the throat and eyes, but it is pretty evident from recent observations that the minute hairs given off by the pubescent leaves at an early stage of their growth are likewise dangerous to health.

Amongst Plane trees growing in very confined positions, the following may be mentioned:-