Platanus orientalis facts for kids
The Platanus orientalis, also known as the Oriental plane tree or chenar, is a very large tree. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves every autumn. This tree belongs to the Platanaceae family. Oriental plane trees are famous for living a very long time and having a wide, spreading top, called a crown.
What is the Oriental Plane Tree?
The scientific name, Platanus orientalis, comes from where the tree was first found. It grew in areas east of the Balkans, which is a region in Southeast Europe. Ancient Greeks knew this tree well and wrote about it. In Europe, people often call it Platane or similar names. In places like Turkey and Kashmir, it is known as Chenar, a name from the Iranian language.
Where Does the Oriental Plane Tree Grow?
The Oriental plane tree naturally grows across a large area called Eurasia. This includes regions from the Balkans all the way to Iran in the east. Some people believe it also grew naturally as far west as Spain and Portugal and as far east as the Himalayas.
You can often find these trees growing near rivers. They like to grow with other trees that enjoy wet places, like alders, willows, and poplars. However, once an Oriental plane tree has grown strong roots, it can also survive well in drier soils. In the region of Kashmir, this tree is so important that it is recognized as the State tree.
Images for kids
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The "Tree of Hippocrates" in Kos, Greece, possibly a descendant of the original.
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Famous Char Chinar island containing four chinar trees on Dal lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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Foliage
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Bursa, Turkey
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Cambron-Casteau Park, Belgium
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Chinars at the Kashmir University in Srinagar, Kashmir during autumn
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Leaf Of Platanus Orientalis (Kashmir)
