Tree sponsorship Eva Kühne London Plane Tree

A personal contribution to the tree population at the TUD main campus.

The London plane tree, or common plane tree, is a hybrid of the American plane tree (Platanus occidentalis) and the Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis), and was created in the 17th century. It is not native to Europe. Exemplars that are over 300 years old are known, all of which are believed to have originated from plantings.

The plane tree grows as a deciduous tree and reaches a height of over 45 meters. The leaf shape is reminiscent of maple leaves, which was the basis for the species name. The small, individual flowers are inconspicuous, but they form a striking, spherical fruit cluster. These fruit clusters disintegrate very late in the fall, releasing the seeds (nuts).

The species is very robust and can withstand urban climates. It is often planted as a street and alley tree, but it requires a lot of space in the root area and sun. Inner-city streets like the Champs-Élysées in Paris feature trees as a design element that shapes the space and also contributes to an improved microclimate. The tree provides a lot of shade with its sprawling crown. Large trees also provide numerous nesting habitats, including for cavity-nesting birds.