The tree that I am going to present to you below has surely been found at some time walking through the streets of your town or city, as it is a very resistant and adaptable species that, in addition, gives very good shade. In fact, it is known as shadow banana It is a plant that in a few years of cultivation will protect anyone who wants it from the sun.
But, if as urban flora it looks wonderful, Why not plant it in the garden too?
The shade plantain is a genus of fast growing deciduous trees, so if you are in a hurry to get your garden to begin to take shape, these trees are undoubtedly for you. They reach a height of about 40 meters if the growing conditions are the most optimal, but the truth is that specimens of more than 15-20m are not usually seen.
It is interesting to also highlight its life expectancy: they can live up to 300 years. There is nothing!
In cultivation they are not demanding, since they can grow in all types of terrain as long as they have plenty of direct light -preferably throughout the day-, and humidity during the first year of planting (from the second and third year, the waterings can be increasingly spaced so that it adapts to the weather conditions of the area).
Dry, weak and / or diseased branches should be pruned in early spring, before their buds wake up again, as is sensitive to powdery mildew. To prevent the fungus from affecting it, it is recommended to do preventive treatments with sulfur from spring to late summer, or early fall if you live in a mild climate.
The shade plantain supports a wide range of temperatures, between a maximum of 40ºC and a minimum of -7ºC. So that, you won't have to worry about the cold 😉. Yes, important, plant it at a minimum distance of 3m from the groundAlthough it is not a tree that has invasive roots, it could lift the concrete if it is too close.
Otherwise, the shadow banana will give you many satisfactions. What do you think?
Where can they be found? Do you know a nursery?
Hello, remich.
Platanus hispanica is a species that can usually be easily found in any nursery. If you want others, then you would have to look in online nurseries.
A greeting.
Where can I get seeds of this tree to plant in Mexico?
Hello Jose Luis
I recommend you search on ebay. There you will surely find. If not, in bidorbuy (it is the African ebay).
A greeting.
Hello:
I live in Badalona, near Barcelona, and I have seen that the bark of the plane trees is falling off more extensively than I remember from other years. It has some natural explanation or it may be due to a disease. Thanks
Hi Ignacio.
They may be getting old. As the years go by, the bark of these trees tends to shed more quickly.
However, there is another possible explanation: poor care. The trees of the cities in Spain do not usually receive the best: drastic pruning at the wrong time, lack or excess of irrigation,… besides that many are planted in areas where they hardly have room to grow. All this weakens them a lot, and in the case of the Shadow plane it could cause that, the detachment of the bark.
A greeting.
Hello. The banana tree supports environmental pollution very well, and I have read this in several places. Could it be that these pollutants accumulate in the bark? It would explain why its bark is shed more often in cities.
All the best
Hi Ignacio.
I think you are right, but in addition to the pollutants, the care that the trees receive, the location where they are, and the climate also influence.
A greeting.