The plane tree is planted because it is an impressive tree with lush green leaves. The flowers, on the other hand, are hardly noticeable, but they actually exist. Anyone who takes a closer look at the tree in spring will definitely spot them easily.
When and how does the plane tree bloom?
The plane tree blooms between April and May, with male and female flowers appearing on the tree at the same time. Male flowers are greenish yellow, female flowers have a strong red tone. Pollination occurs through the wind and then spherical fruits are formed.
Flowering time of the plane tree
The months of April and May are considered the main flowering period for the plane tree. However, the actual start of flowering varies regionally. In mild regions, the flowers can appear as early as March. Even long-lasting mild temperatures in spring lead to early flowering.
Flowers emerge at the same time as the leaves emerge. If this happens early in the year and unexpectedly severe frosts occur, frost damage is inevitable.
Male and female united on a tree
Every plane tree bears male and female flowers at the same time. This characteristic is referred to in technical language as monoecious separate sexes. The flowers are pollinated by the wind.
Appearance of the flowers
Both male and female plane tree flowers are inconspicuous, but can be easily distinguished visually. While the male flowers are greenish yellow, the female flowers have a strong red tone. What is less noticeable from a distance is that the number of different petals also differs.
These are further characteristics of the plane tree flowers:
- Flowers appear on spherical inflorescences
- the diameter of a female inflorescence is about 2.5 to 3 cm
- the males are slightly smaller
- two or three inflorescences are located on a common inflorescence axis
- the stem is approx. 6-8 cm long
Note:The male flowers fall earlier than the female ones. That's why both can only be admired together at the beginning of the flowering period.
Flowers are followed by fruits
Fruits can only form from the female flowers if they have been successfully fertilized. They develop from November onwards and are just as spherical as the inflorescences before them.
During the winter the fruits become rotten and fall apart. They release ripe seeds that can be used for propagation if the tree is not a hybrid.
Tip
Wear a face mask when cutting the plane tree (€6.00 on Amazon), because leaves and fruits have fine hairs that come off easily. If these are inhaled, sensitive people get the so-called plane tree cough, which is comparable to hay fever.