We are used to seeing older trees with a thick bark around the trunk and branches. But the plane tree does not offer us such a picture. Their dead layer of bark does not undergo any transformation, but gradually disappears from the tree. What's it all about?

The bark of plane trees falls off regularly

Difference bark and bark

The bark is the outer skin of a tree. Put simply, it protects the tree from diseases and environmental influences. Accordingly, every tree is dependent on a bark. The plane tree is no exception. The dead cells of the outer bark layer form the so-called bark. Depending on the tree species, it can vary in color, thickness and structure.

Bark of young plane trees

The bark of young trees is dark gray to brown in colour. It has a visibly smooth structure. This appearance can only be observed for a few years, because the rapid growth of a plane tree of up to 70 cm per year also leads to a significant increase in the circumference of the trunk. As a result, the bark also has to adapt in size accordingly.

Bark of older plane trees

The bark of an older plane tree apparently has no bark worth mentioning. This is rather unusual for the local tree landscape. Instead, a few millimeters thin, dark grey-greenish bark still dominates even in old age. In appearance, however, it deviates significantly from the "intactness" of young bark. The observations can be described as follows:

  • the bark of the plane tree has split open in many places
  • both trunk and branches are affected
  • the burst bark is peeling off the tree
  • in places it has already fallen off in slabs
  • consequently these places are "naked"
  • the bare spots are colored differently
  • initially light yellow, later darken
  • this creates a colorful pattern

The features listed are not a sign of disease or the result of dryness, but a natural process over which we have no control.

tips

You don't notice that a plane tree is thirsty for water because of a burst bark. Instead, pay attention to the leaves, whether they are hanging sapless and limp.

Bark does not grow with it

The reason why the plane tree loses its bark: the bark does not grow with it! However, as the trunk increases in size, it is under pressure and eventually bursts open. The burst bark loses more and more adhesion and eventually falls off, also due to external influences such as wind and rain. Underneath, however, a new layer of bark grows in good time.

bursting open in autumn and summer

The main growth takes place during the warm summer months. The girth of the trunk and branches increases to such an extent that the bark cannot withstand the pressure and bursts open in the fall. The bursting is often accompanied by a loud bang. The vitality of the tree never suffers as a result.

Every few years, the defoliation is particularly strong. If spring was warm and humid, which favored growth, bursting can occur during summer.

Category:

Trees