Platanus orientalis Linn.

Description :

A large, deciduous tree 20 to 25 m tall with diameters of 1 to 3 m. The crown is oblong. The leaves are simple 12 to 20 cm long, with 5 to 7 deep lobes. It is monoecious. The male flowers are densely crowded round heads. The female flowers are similar to the male flowers and bloom between March and May. The fruit is a rounded head, 2.5 to 7.5 cm in diameter, containing numerous small 1-seeded nuts (achenes). The seed matures June through August. The tree is susceptible to many insects, which can be controlled with insecticides. It is reproduced from seed and by vegetative means. Seed is very small and difficult to collect. Diameter growth of 2 cm a year is not unusual. Straight, medium fine and un-even textured Grains, wood is light to greyish brown moderately hardy heavy, strong having specific gravity of 0.59.

Distribution :

The tree is native to southwestern Asia. In Pakistan it has been successfully planted in Gilgit Baltistan, KP, Balochistan, Islamabad and Lahore. An intolerant tree that grows on sandy, acidic soils, on wet sites and along stream banks. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 1000 to 2000 mm/yr in a temperature range of 20 to 40°C. It prefers an arid cool temperate climate at elevations up to 3000m.

Uses :

This tree could be planted with conifers on denuded sites. Its fast growth rate makes it quite useful for stabilizing erodible slopes. Also used in construction, fuel, various wood products including furniture, and erosion control.