| Platanus orientalis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Natural forest ofPlatanus orientalis in Armenia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Platanaceae |
| Genus: | Platanus |
| Species: | P. orientalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Platanus orientalis | |
 | |
| Distribution map | |
Platanus orientalis, theOriental plane,[2] is a large,deciduoustree of the Platanaceaefamily, growing to 30 m (98 ft) or more,[3] and known for its longevity and spreading crown. In autumn its deep green leaves may change to blood red, amber, and yellow.
The species' nameorientalis means 'eastern' (in comparison, the 'western' plane (or American sycamore), the only other species known to Linnaeus, is namedPlatanus occidentalis). The tree was calledplatane in ancient Greek history and literature and by related names in continental Europe. Equally well known in Asia fromAnatolia toIndia and usually calledchinar orchenar.
Thenative distribution is fromItaly east through the Balkans, Turkey, and theCaucasus toIran.[4] Some accounts extend its native range west to theIberia, Palestine to the south and to the Himalayas in the east. As it has been known in cultivation from early times in much of this region it can be difficult to determine if it is truly indigenous in peripheral areas.
The oriental plane is found naturally in riverine settings, together with such trees asalder,willow andpoplar. However, it is quite capable of survival and success in dry soils once it is established. It can grow into a massive tree with many examples hundreds of years old. Around ten trees are known from the past and present with a diameter of 4 m (13 ft) or more with several specimens around 100 m3 (3,500 cu ft) in total volume.[5] A specimen in Ghirmizi Bazar,Karabakh, Republic of Azerbaijan is said to have aDBH of 28ft 2in (27 meters girth).[6]
Like otherplane trees, its leaves are borne alternately on the stem, deeply lobed, andpalmate ormaple-like. It usually has flaking bark, occasionally not flaking and becoming thick and rugged. Flowers and fruit are round and burr-like, borne in clusters of between two and six on a stem. Considerable variation exists among trees in the wild, and this may be complicated by crossbreeding with plantedLondon planes (Platanus x acerifolia), thehybrid ofP. orientalis with theAmerican sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).
The tree is capable of being grown in most temperate latitudes, though it benefits greatly from warm summers. As a very large and wide tree with broad, thick leaves that tend to orient horizontally, it is especially prized for the shade and coolness it provides during the hot season.
It grows best in rich soil in a sunny location[7] and can survive drought well, although young plants appreciate regular watering.
The leaves and bark have been used medicinally. A fabric dye has been made from the twigs and roots. Thetimber, often calledlacewood, is figured and valuable for indoor furniture. The leaves are also often used by artists forleaf carving.[8][9]
.jpg)
Many plane trees in Iran are of historical importance and have been designated as cultural heritage. One such example is the plane tree ofOsku, estimated to be 1,200 years old.[10][11]
TheTree of Hippocrates, under which Hippocrates — the "Father of Medicine" — taught atKos, is reputed to have been an oriental plane. A 500-year-old tree presently there may be on the same site and may have been planted from a succession of cuttings from the original. TheAthenian Academy, outside Athens, featured asacred grove of planes where the students listened to the masters and where among others thePeripatetics practiced philosophy.
Many villages in Greece feature plane trees in their main squares, frequently found alongside them are water springs that in the past would serve as the main water source for the villagers; usually these are quite old trees with their age seen as a point of pride for the local inhabitants. Occasionally the oldest trees exhibit partially hollowed out trunks, with cavities large enough to provide amusement opportunities for local or visiting children and teenagers, and even serving (along with the rest of the tree) as tourist attractions or at least in oneoccasion a shrine.
Pliny'sNatural History[12] records the westward progress of the plane "introduced among us from a foreign clime for nothing but its shade", planted first at the tomb of Diomedes on the island of Tremiti, then imported to Greek Sicily byDionysius the Elder (c. 432–367 BC), tyrant of Syracuse. He had plane-trees conveyed to the city ofRhegium (Reggio di Calabria), where they were looked upon as the great marvel of his palace, according to Pliny's sources. From there it spread by the first century CE as far as the lands of theMorini in Belgic Gaul. Regardless of why it may have been introduced, the tree had medicinal uses from early times. Pliny[13] details 25 remedies using preparation from the bark, leaves and excrescences of plane. Pliny prescribes it for burns, bites, stings, frostbite and infections.
Pliny goes on to describe some legendary plane trees.[14] There was one on the grounds of the Athenian Academy, he says, that had roots 50 feet (15 m) long.Licinius Mucianus held a banquet for 19 in a hollow plane-tree of Lycia, and the emperorCaligula another for 15 plus servants in a tree house (nest) built in the branches of a plane-tree atVelletri.
Thechinar tree can be found throughout the landscape of theKashmir Valley in thewestern Himalayas, planted across hillsides and cities, and is seen as a symbol for the region, locally known asbouin inKashmiri andchinar inHindustani.[15][16] Excavations from theBurzahom archaeological site have revealed charcoal remains of the tree from the Neolithic period.[17] Muslim Kashmiris believe that thechinar was brought to Kashmir valley by Islamic preachers fromIran in 14th century AD, while Hindu Kashmiris hold a view that the tree was traditionally planted near Hindu holy places in Kashmir and is associated with Hindu goddessBhavani, from whom it derives its Kashmiri namebouin.[18]
After the advent of Muslim rule, especially under theMughals,chinar became a major garden and landscape tree, and dominates many historic gardens. The tree known for its elegance and exuberance has remained an attraction for artists and litterateurs. One tree believed to be planted in 1374 A.D at theChattergam village by an Islamic mystic Syed Abul Qaim Hamadani who accompaniedMir Sayyid Ali Hamadani fromIran toKashmir, is believed by many in Kashmir to be the world's oldest surviving chinar tree.[19][20] Planting of chinar trees in Kashmir was greatly patronised by the Mughals, and later byDogra rulers.[21]
Chinar trees are being felled rapidly in Kashmir,[22] although a ban was enacted in 2009 to curb cutting.[23] Chinar trees are now required to be registered, considered State Property, and painted white at their base.[24]Naseem Bagh, aMughal garden near Srinagar with over 700 chinar trees has been developed as a Chinar Heritage Park by theUniversity of Kashmir.[25]
In 2011 a specimen planted byCapability Brown atCorsham Court in Wiltshire was identified byThe Tree Register of the British Isles as the tree with the greatest known spread in the United Kingdom.[26]
An example dating to at least 1762 is one ofKew Gardens' thirteen 'Heritage Trees'.[27]
The Pococke Garden atChrist Church, Oxford contains a specimen, known as The Pococke Tree, which is understood to have been planted byEdward Pococke from seed he collected in 1636 fromAleppo. With a girth of around 9 metres it is the oldest in the UK.[28][29]
A plane tree is the main theme in the ariaOmbra mai fu composed byGeorge Frideric Handel, in which the main character,Xerxes I of Persia, admires the shade of a plane tree.
The Chinar leaf is considered a national symbol inAzad Jammu and Kashmir. Thegovernment seal continues to include the leaf. Many universities, including theUniversity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also include the symbol.
It is theState tree of the Indianunion territory ofJammu and Kashmir.[30] During the2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, held in India, the chinar tree was featured prominently in the 'tree of knowledge' segment of the ceremony.
The Pococke Tree in the Pococke Garden atChrist Church is thought to be the inspiration for the Tumtum tree in Lewis Carol's poemJabberwocky.[31]
