Bark Of The London PlaneTree Photograph by Constantine Gregory

Bark Of The London PlaneTree

by Constantine Gregory

Canvas Print

$74

Framed Print

$83

Art Print

$28

Poster

$28

Metal Print

$80

Acrylic Print

$88

Wood Print

$60

Greeting Card

$4.95

iPhone Case

$30

Title

Bark Of The London PlaneTree

Artist

Constantine Gregory

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Red-brown scales flake to show cream-colored inner bark. Large distinctive leaves with lighter undersides.
The London Plane tree
is a lovely,
large deciduous tree that provides
visual interest in winter and great
shade in summer. Red-brown scales flake to show cream-colored inner bark.

A crossbreed of
American sycamore and oriental Plane
tree, it can withstand the rigors of
urban life, including streets and parking
lot islands, and is widely considered to
be the world’s most reliable city tree.

Although called London Plane, this
tree is not native to England. In fact, it’s not
native to anywhere, because it’s a hybrid of
two trees – the American Sycamore, and the
Oriental Planetree – from opposite sides of
the globe. Its name reflects the fact that it
was widely planted in London during the
industrial revolution because of its high
tolerance for air pollution.
Today it’s found all over London,
including Kensington Gardens, and it’s
popular in France where it graces the
avenues of Paris. In the U.S., it grows in
most major urban areas including New
York City, where it is both the tallest street
tree, and Central Park’s oldest tree.
Bark and leaves
Besides their great height and large
limbs, the bark on these trees is one of their
best assets. Their tan-grey or pale grey-
green outer bark peels away
(exfoliates) in tubular
curls and large flakes,
revealing patches of
white, smooth inner
bark. The tree’s peeling
bark helps it shed
damaging pollutants.