London plane tree shedding bark in downtown Summerland.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

If you’re out enjoying the city parks in the Thompson Okanagan in the summer you might see trees with large pieces of bark peeling off, leaving the limbs bare and landing in piles on the ground, but it doesn’t mean the tree isn’t healthy.

London plane trees are hybrid sycamores and one of the most commonly planted trees in municipalities in the region. They look at little like maples but they are sycamore trees, and like all sycamores, they shed their bark in irregular patches.

“The way the bark works, it’s like skin that exfoliates and sluffs off as the tree expands which is fairly unique,” said arborist and co-owner at Seed and Sparrow, Christopher Szymberski.

London plane trees are messy, dropping twigs, leaves, bark and non-edible fruits, but they are a popular shade tree choice to local parks crews because they are very resilient in urban conditions.

“They’re bomb proof,” Szymberski said. “They deal well with air pollution and compact soils and are somewhat drought resistant. They have a nice structure to them and don’t require a lot of pruning or maintenance.”

London plane trees grow around the world and their hybridization is thought to have happened by accident sometime during the 17 century in Spain or London when an American sycamore was planted beside an Oriental plane, according to The Spruce. Since then several cultivars have been developed.

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The trees are fast-growing, gaining several feet in height every year, with long curving branches and leaves that resemble maple leaves.

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The adaptable trees can handle hot summers, as long as the soil is moist, and cold, harsh winters. They love lots of sun and well-draining soils and can live up to 400 years.

Sluffed bark at the base of a London plane tree in Summerland.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

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