The plane tree should stand in the garden for many years. No matter whether she is allowed to express her growth unbridled or whether she is given a strict shape with scissors. In fact, the sycamore tree has the potential to become ancient. The decision for them is therefore one for generations.
How old can a plane tree get?
The life expectancy of a plane tree is around 150 to 250 years, although some specimens can even be up to 1000 years old. However, external influences such as location, climate, diseases and pests can influence the actual age.
This is the life expectancy of the plane tree
Life expectancy figures are estimates based on collected information. Experts currently assume that the plane tree is 150 to 250 years old.
But that definitely doesn't specify the highest possible age. There are some specimens around the world that significantly exceed this life expectancy. There is a plane tree on the Greek island of Kos that is said to be around 1000 years old. Its circumference is an incredible 14 m.
External influences
It is possible that all plane tree species can reach such an old age if their living conditions are consistently ideal. But they rarely are. The following factors influence the he althy development and thus the age of a plane tree:
- Location and climate
- Diseases and pests
- Environmental influences such as lightning strikes
Many trees are also cut down by people, be it because their wood is in demand or they are no longer wanted in their place.
Note:Currently, trees in cities are not having an easy time of it because air pollution is affecting them. However, the plane tree is considered to be insensitive in this regard. Their life expectancy for cities is given as up to 200 years.
Plane trees in Germany
According to historical information, plane trees were first planted in Germany around 1750. The plane trees on the Rondell in Dessau, which were planted in 1781, are among the oldest examples in this country. But there are also isolated examples throughout Germany that are around 200 years old.
Visible changes with age
The higher a plane tree is and the larger the girth of its trunk, the older it is. Depending on the plane tree species and variety, annual growth can be around 60 to 80 cm. A height of 35 m and a crown width of 25 m are often achieved.
It can be observed that the crown becomes wider, rounder and more open with age. Breakability is low unless the tree suffers from massaria disease. Once the plane tree has grown in size, it loses its bark in pieces. That's why the trunk of an older bark looks patterned.
Determine age mathematically
Rarely do documents exist that show when a plane tree was planted. Since the annual rings of a tree are not visible from the outside, the approximate age can be calculated using the Mitchell formula. The trunk circumference is multiplied by a so-called age factor. For the fast-growing plane tree, this is given as 0.4.
Tip
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