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Common Name: Oriental Plane

General Information

Platanus orientalis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

In hot dry climates the hairs of the fruits and leaves are believed to cause an effect similar to hay fever[, ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S.E. Europe to W. Asia.

Habitat

By rivers in forests in the hills[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position in a deep fertile well-drained soil[]. A fast growing species, established plants are drought tolerant[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and compacted soils[].
This species is hardy in most areas of Britain but the trees do not do well in northern parts of the country, requiring hotter summers than are normally experienced there[].
A very ornamental and very long lived tree[]. It is immune to 'Plane tree wilt' fungus[].
Very tolerant of root disturbance, trees up to 5 metres tall can be moved quite easily[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent and vulnerary[]. The fresh leaves are bruised and applied to the eyes in the treatment of ophthalmia[]. A decoction is used to treat dysentery and a cream made from the leaves is used to heal wounds and chilblains[]. The leaves are harvested in the spring and summer and can be dried for later use[].
The bark is boiled in vinegar and then used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, hernias and toothache[].

Other Uses

A fabric dye is obtained from the branches and roots[]. The colour is not given[].
Wood - tough, difficult to split, not durable. It is not esteemed for carpentry, but has certain advantages in cabinet making[], it is also used for inlay work and wood pulp[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - two months cold stratification improves germination[]. Sow spring in a cold frame in light shade[, ]. Home grown seed is often of poor quality and low viability. It is best to harvest the seed in late winter or spring and then sow it immediately in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current years growth, 20 - 30 cm with a heel, autumn in a cold frame[]. Easy[].
Layering of stools in spring or autumn. Takes 12 months[].