(15) London Plane
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Now take the path back into the Gardens and along to the main promenade. When there, look at the entrance to the Holburne Museum; this was the original entrance into the gardens when opened in 1795. To the left of the entrance stands a magnificent London Plane Tree. Although only half the size at 14 meters of the tallest Plane in the park, this is an impressive tree situated in a significant position; from which there is an impressive vista of this Historic Georgian Garden.
Sydney Gardens is the custodian of several large London Plane trees, the tallest standing at 28 meters, which is at the top of the park. However, the tallest London Plane in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland stands at 49.67m high: measured in May 2015 and can be found in Bryanston School grounds in Blandford Forum, Dorset. The London Plane can live over 350 years of age.
Sydney Gardens is the custodian of several large London Plane trees, the tallest standing at 28 meters, which is at the top of the park. However, the tallest London Plane in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland stands at 49.67m high: measured in May 2015 and can be found in Bryanston School grounds in Blandford Forum, Dorset. The London Plane can live over 350 years of age.
The London Plane is a large deciduous tree, a hybrid of the American sycamore and Oriental Planes tree. The Plane arrived in England between 1660 – 1680, is fast growing when young; some trees recorded growing 20 meters in 50 years. The tree is well suited to towns and cities due to its resistance to pollution; dirt easily washing off its shiny thick and leathery leaves. The leaf shape is formed of five triangular lobes, they are green throughout the spring and summer then turn a rich yellow/orange in Autumn before falling.
The bark of the London Plane is olive green to grey in colour and is shed in large thin plates in mid-summer to reveal a creamy colour bark beneath. The young twigs begin green, brown in colour before they mature
The London Plane is monoecious; with both male and female flowers on the same tree, but not found growing on the same stems. After pollination the wind-pollinated female flowers develop into spiky fruit with stiff hairs which are retained over the winter gradually breaking up to release their numerus, 2-3mm long seeds.
The bark of the London Plane is olive green to grey in colour and is shed in large thin plates in mid-summer to reveal a creamy colour bark beneath. The young twigs begin green, brown in colour before they mature
The London Plane is monoecious; with both male and female flowers on the same tree, but not found growing on the same stems. After pollination the wind-pollinated female flowers develop into spiky fruit with stiff hairs which are retained over the winter gradually breaking up to release their numerus, 2-3mm long seeds.
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Reference
Gazzard, G. A. MSc (2021) wrote the above article with information from the following sources.
Rose, B. BSc (Hons) MSc DipArb(RFS) MICFor RCArborA Chartered Arboriculturist Arboricultural Association Registered Consultant (2020). Bosky Trees, Arboricultural Impact Assessment & Tree Protection Plan for trees at Sydney Gardens, Bath. (Accessed 13/03/21).
White, R. S. PhD (2020). Sydney Gardens: a self-guided walking tour reflecting on botany, empire, reluctant heritage and deep time. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://medium.com/sydney-gardens-bath/sydney-gardens-a-reluctant-heritage-a-walking-tour-reflecting-on-botany-empire-and-deep-time-789d71c0c288
The Woodland Trust, London Plane. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/london-plane/
Monumental Trees. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/england/dorset/4140_bryanstonschool/8378/
Wikipedia: Platanus x hispanica. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platanus_×_acerifolia
Bubber, G. (2018). The Mysterious History of the London Plane Tree. Tree's for Cities. (Accessed 01/04/2021). Available at:
https://www.treesforcities.org/stories/the-mysterious-story-of-the-london-plane-tree
Hull, R. (2009). Short Guide to the London Plane Tree. (Accessed 01/04/2021) Available at:
https://www.treetree.co.uk/treetree_downloads/The_London_Plane.pdf
Gazzard, G. A. MSc (2021) wrote the above article with information from the following sources.
Rose, B. BSc (Hons) MSc DipArb(RFS) MICFor RCArborA Chartered Arboriculturist Arboricultural Association Registered Consultant (2020). Bosky Trees, Arboricultural Impact Assessment & Tree Protection Plan for trees at Sydney Gardens, Bath. (Accessed 13/03/21).
White, R. S. PhD (2020). Sydney Gardens: a self-guided walking tour reflecting on botany, empire, reluctant heritage and deep time. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://medium.com/sydney-gardens-bath/sydney-gardens-a-reluctant-heritage-a-walking-tour-reflecting-on-botany-empire-and-deep-time-789d71c0c288
The Woodland Trust, London Plane. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/london-plane/
Monumental Trees. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/england/dorset/4140_bryanstonschool/8378/
Wikipedia: Platanus x hispanica. (Accessed 13/03/13). Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platanus_×_acerifolia
Bubber, G. (2018). The Mysterious History of the London Plane Tree. Tree's for Cities. (Accessed 01/04/2021). Available at:
https://www.treesforcities.org/stories/the-mysterious-story-of-the-london-plane-tree
Hull, R. (2009). Short Guide to the London Plane Tree. (Accessed 01/04/2021) Available at:
https://www.treetree.co.uk/treetree_downloads/The_London_Plane.pdf
