The plane tree is a popular deciduous tree that requires little maintenance. However, if you want to multiply the gem, you should consider a few things in advance. Then nothing can go wrong.
If you have grown a plane tree (Platanus hispanica) and count it among the top favorites in your own garden, it definitely makes sense to propagate it - either to plant larger plots of land or to send offshoots to enthusiasts of the deciduous tree to give away. The usual representatives of the plane tree are characterized by their leaves. They resemble those of a maple tree and are just as easy to care for. But is it so easy to propagate the deciduous tree? We'll tell you.
Important things in advance
If you want to propagate the popular deciduous tree in order to spread it out in your own garden or on the property and plant it several times, you should know that each tree of this type requires a lot of space. Not only because the deciduous tree can grow up to 35 meters high, but above all because of the lush crown and the deep and strong spreading of its roots. If your own garden is rather narrow or if there are many elements in the planting area that can be damaged by the root system, you should rather do without another Platanus deciduous tree - even if it is still very pretty to look at.
Each Platanus deciduous tree needs a sunny location and should not have to share it if possible. At the same time, young plane trees must be supported during the winter and at least in the first two years outdoors. So if you intend to grow several daughter plants at the same time, you will have to plan significantly more effort for the wintering measures.
Reasons for propagating a plane tree
Of course, there are many reasons that lead to the desire to propagate the plane tree: From a certain age, the tree provides a lot of shade through its lush crown, and its deep roots make it very stable in storms and strong winds . For many gardeners, however, the greatest and most valued advantage of the deciduous tree is that the tree becomes particularly easy to care for over the years. He no longer has to when he is an adultbe watered because it draws its moisture from the soil itself with the help of its deep roots. Fertilizing also no longer has to be carried out manually. There is nothing more to add even for the winter if the deciduous tree has already spent a few years outdoors. No wonder, then, that lovers of the tree would like to plant several deciduous trees of this type at the same time. But you should also know that a plane tree can cause a lot of work in autumn: During this time, it not only sheds its leaves, but also parts of the bark.
Advantages
✔ hardly needs any care in adulthood because it takes care of itself
✔ hibernates without any problems
✔ maple-shaped leaves look very appealing in the lush crown
✔ has a very stable stand
✔ Leaves turn particularly beautiful in autumn
Cons
✘ makes a lot of work in autumn due to falling leaves and shedding of the bark
✘ needs a lot of space and deep soil to be able to spread
✘ needs a very sunny to maximum semi-shady location
As you can see, you have to weigh up the reasons for and against propagating the plane tree before you can start propagating - because if some offshoots have already been set, you should already have a suitable location ready for them or someone know where you could give them away. If there is enough space, it is definitely worth propagating the deciduous tree, because its appearance makes up for any effort in autumn.
Propagating plane trees - explained step by step
Because the plane tree is a hybrid plant, its seeds are not really suitable for propagation in the inedible fruits - this can only be done with a few varieties of the plane tree. Therefore, the only thing left is to propagate using so-called sticks, which is usually easy to do. Proceed as follows:
❖ Step 1: Select sticks for propagation
In autumn, the conditions are ideal for selecting and harvesting sticks on the tree. However, this should be done before the first very cold temperatures and frosty days, so that the propagation is crowned with success. The shoot is selected that is at least one year old and already appears slightly woody and separated from the tree at a length of 20 to 30 cm.
❖ Step 2: Remove leaves from bottom third of stick
Any leaves or smaller side shoots in this third are to be removed so that the stick can take rootcan expel.
❖ Step 3: plant sticks
The stick is now inserted into the substrate so that it protrudes at most half of it. The ideal substrate is very sandy and not very rich in nutrients. Now the sticks can be stored indoors to avoid frost.
❖ Step 4: Keep Moist
The stick must always be kept moist.
❖ Step 5: plant cuttings
From March, provided the frost is over, the roots of the cuttings can be moistened with rooting powder and planted in the garden or at the intended location. The upper part may only protrude from the ground by a maximum of five centimeters in order to grow well.
❖ Step 6: Keep the cuttings moist
The stick should also be kept moist during this time, but without waterlogging. Planting several cuttings outdoors is ideal to increase the likelihood of successfully rooting a tree and obtaining the desired offshoot.
If the young tree is later to be planted in a designated location that provides sufficient sun and space, it can also be planted in spring. It should be noted that young sticks that have sprouted roots as young trees must be given special protection in winter. Fleece and brushwood are needed to cover the young trees and protect their roots from frost. Only after a few years of life outdoors are the young trees really strong enough to fend for themselves in winter. You should also pay attention to fertilizing in the spring, which can be done with compost or slightly diluted liquid fertilizer. When they are young, the trees simply do not manage to extract enough water from the soil to be able to absorb sufficient nutrients. Regular watering without causing waterlogging and an occasional dose of fertilizer are recommended so that the plant can develop magnificently.