We are used to seeing older trees with thick bark around the trunk and branches. But the plane tree does not offer us such a picture. Their dead bark layer does not undergo any transformation but gradually disappears from the tree. What does that mean?
Why does the bark of a plane tree split open?
The bark of a plane tree bursts due to the tree's rapid growth because it cannot grow with it. This is a natural process and has no negative impact on the he alth of the tree. A new layer of bark grows back in time under the falling old layer.
Difference between bark and bark
The bark is the outer skin of a tree. Roughly simplified, you can say that it protects the tree from diseases and environmental influences. Accordingly, every tree depends on bark. The plane tree is no exception. The dead cells of the outer layer of bark form what is known as bark. It can have different coloring, thickness and structure depending on the type of tree.
Bark of young plane trees
The bark of young trees has a dark gray to brownish color. It has a visibly smooth structure. This appearance can only be observed for a few years, because the rapid growth of a plane tree, up to 70 cm per year, also leads to a significant increase in the circumference of the trunk. This means that the bark also has to adjust its size accordingly.
Bark of older plane trees
The bark of an older plane tree apparently has no bark to speak of. This is rather unusual for the local tree landscape. Instead, even with age, a dark gray-greenish bark that is a few millimeters thin still dominates. However, its appearance differs significantly from the “integrity” of a young bark. This is how the observations can be described:
- the bark of the plane tree has cracked in many places
- both trunk and branches are affected
- the cracked bark comes off the tree
- In places it has already fallen off in pieces
- consequently these places are “naked”
- the bare areas are colored differently
- initially light yellow, later darker
- this is how a colorful pattern is created
The characteristics listed are not signs of disease or the result of drought, but a natural process over which we have no influence.
Tip
You won't know that a plane tree is thirsty for water because the bark is cracked. Instead, pay attention to the leaves, whether they hang sapless and weak.
Bark doesn't grow with you
The reason why the plane tree loses its bark: the bark doesn't grow with it! However, as the trunk increases in size, it is under pressure and eventually bursts. The cracked bark loses more and more adhesion and eventually falls off little by little, due to external influences such as wind and rain. However, a new layer of bark grows underneath in time.
Bursting in autumn and summer
Main growth occurs during the warm summer months. The size of the trunk and branches increases to such an extent that the bark cannot withstand the pressure and splits open in the fall. The rupture is often accompanied by a loud bang. The vitality of the tree never suffers.
The defoliation is particularly severe every few years. If the spring was warm and humid, conducive to growth, bursting can occur during the summer.
