930 ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 



1756. P. oriental 



which attains so large a size has a finer appearance, standing singly, or in 

 small groups, upon a lawn, where there is room to allow its lower branches, 

 which stretch themselves horizontally to a considerable distance, to bend 

 gracefully towards the ground, and turn up at their extremities. The peculiar 

 characteristic of the tree, indeed, is the combination which it presents of 

 majesty and gracefulness ; an expression which is produced by the massive, 

 and yet open and varied character of its head, the bending of its branches, 

 and their feathering to the ground. In this respect, it is greatly superior to 

 the lime tree, which comes nearest to it in the general character of the head ; 

 but which forms a much more compact and lumpish mass of foliage in summer, 

 and, in winter, is so crowded with branches and spray, as to prevent, in a 

 great measure, the sun from penetrating through them. The head of the 

 plane tree, during sunshine, often abounds in what painters call flickering 

 lights ; the consequence of the branches of the head separating themselves 

 into what may be called horizontal undulating strata, or, as it is called in 

 artistical phraseology, horizontal tufting, easily put in motion by the wind, 

 and through openings in which the rays of the sun penetrate, and strike on 

 the foliage below. The tree, from its mild and gentle expression, its useful- 

 ness for shade in summer, and for admitting the sun in winter, is peculiarly 

 adapted for pleasure-grounds, and, where there is room, for planting near 

 houses and buildings. For the latter purpose, it is particularly well adapted 

 even in winter, from the colour of the bark of the trunk, which has a greyish 

 white tint, not unlike the hue of some kinds of freestone. The colour of 

 the foliage, in dry soil, is also of a dull greyish green ; which, receiving the 

 light in numerous horizontal tuftings, readily harmonises with the tint 

 of stone walls. It appears, also, not to be much injured by smoke, since 

 there are trees of it of very considerable size in the very heart of London. 



A light deep free soil, moist, but not wet at bottom, is that on which the 

 Oriental plane tree thrives best ; and the situation should be sheltered, but, at 

 the same time, not shaded or crowded by other trees. It will scarcely grow 

 in strong clays, and on elevated exposed places ; nor will it thrive in places 

 where the lime tree does not prosper. The plane tree may be propagated 

 by seeds, layers, or cuttings. The seeds should be gathered in October or 

 November ; and, the balls being broken by the hand, or by threshing with a 

 flail, the seeds may be separated from their husks, *and cleaned by the usual 

 processes ; and either sown immediately, or mixed with sand or fine sandy 

 soil, and preserved in a place secure from frost till February or March. The 



