Raintree imposter

jducharme · 9th August 2010, 10:28 AM

Four years ago I got a shipment of tiny saplings from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Each had a color-coded tape attached for identification. All of the trees I planted are doing well. But this one, coded as a Golden Raintree, has turned out to be something quite different, I think. The leaves look nothing like the Raintrees I've researched. I have no idea what this tree could be, though the leaves are somewhat maple-ish. Any ideas?

Eric Frei · 9th August 2010, 11:37 AM

Leaves like that it might be in the maple family

jeffswede · 9th August 2010, 12:06 PM

Hi, you got a sycamore.
Jeff

jducharme · 9th August 2010, 12:24 PM

Wow! You're right. Sycamores weren't even included in the set that I got from the Foundation. It could be either an American or Mexican variety, but in any case it can't stay where it is; it's much too close to our house.

Thanks for the ID!

treeshaveneeds · 10th August 2010, 02:57 AM

I concur. It is a sycamore. Move it to where it can grow and spread. 60 feet of crown spread is commonly achieved.

cte539 · 11th August 2010, 12:40 AM

I ao not concur; although you are all so close
I believe the imposter is london plane tree, platanus x acerifolia
The foundation does not deal in sycamore, but they do handle the london plane tree due to its resistance to anthracnose
paul

Done it · 11th August 2010, 02:01 AM

That's interesting. http://onlinegardener.com/trees/Lond...ane%20tree.pdf

Don't they cause a lot of health problems, allergies etc?

jducharme · 11th August 2010, 10:03 AM

Hmmm ... here's a scan of a leaf off the tree. Does this help clarify it?

cte539 · 11th August 2010, 10:49 AM

The easiest way to distinguish between London Plane and Sycamore:
Any olive green colored bark is a London Plane
Sycamore will not exhibit any olive green bark.
IMHO
Paul

jducharme · 11th August 2010, 11:34 AM

I think you're right. Here's the bark.

treeshaveneeds · 11th August 2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cte539

The easiest way to distinguish between London Plane and Sycamore:
Any olive green colored bark is a London Plane
Sycamore will not exhibit any olive green bark.
IMHO
Paul

Don't you need more mature bark to tell the difference between London Plane and Sycamore, just as you need a more mature tree to see fruit?

Therrin · 11th August 2010, 06:46 PM

Well, you seemed pretty sure in your first response!

treeshaveneeds · 12th August 2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

Well, you seemed pretty sure in your first response!

Well, seeing as sycamore and London Plane trees are both plane trees, and often called sycamores, and silly me felt that a Foundation wouldn't include a foreign species in its give away plants, I was probably too hasty on the call.

Thank you Therrin

Therrin · 13th August 2010, 12:41 AM

Its actually a fair bit of fun to sit back and watch you folks scramble to name these things; especially when it goes around several times before it stops for good.

I was just poking some fun at you, you're all more knowledgeable than am I as far as this stuff goes.

9th August 2010, 10:28 AM	#1
jducharme I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Raintree imposter Four years ago I got a shipment of tiny saplings from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Each had a color-coded tape attached for identification. All of the trees I planted are doing well. But this one, coded as a Golden Raintree, has turned out to be something quite different, I think. The leaves look nothing like the Raintrees I've researched. I have no idea what this tree could be, though the leaves are somewhat maple-ish. Any ideas? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Eric Frei; 9th August 2010 at 11:36 AM. Reason: loaded pic to server as per rules

9th August 2010, 11:37 AM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Raintree imposter Leaves like that it might be in the maple family __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

9th August 2010, 12:06 PM	#3
jeffswede Mature tree Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 279	Re: Raintree imposter Hi, you got a sycamore. Jeff

9th August 2010, 12:24 PM	#4
jducharme I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Re: Raintree imposter Wow! You're right. Sycamores weren't even included in the set that I got from the Foundation. It could be either an American or Mexican variety, but in any case it can't stay where it is; it's much too close to our house. Thanks for the ID!

10th August 2010, 02:57 AM	#5
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: Raintree imposter I concur. It is a sycamore. Move it to where it can grow and spread. 60 feet of crown spread is commonly achieved.

11th August 2010, 12:40 AM	#6
cte539 Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Accord, NY USA Posts: 50	Re: Raintree imposter I ao not concur; although you are all so close I believe the imposter is london plane tree, platanus x acerifolia The foundation does not deal in sycamore, but they do handle the london plane tree due to its resistance to anthracnose paul

11th August 2010, 02:01 AM	#7
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 784	Re: Raintree imposter That's interesting. http://onlinegardener.com/trees/Lond...ane%20tree.pdf Don't they cause a lot of health problems, allergies etc?

11th August 2010, 10:03 AM	#8
jducharme I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Re: Raintree imposter Hmmm ... here's a scan of a leaf off the tree. Does this help clarify it?

11th August 2010, 10:49 AM	#9
cte539 Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Accord, NY USA Posts: 50	Re: Raintree imposter The easiest way to distinguish between London Plane and Sycamore: Any olive green colored bark is a London Plane Sycamore will not exhibit any olive green bark. IMHO Paul

11th August 2010, 11:34 AM	#10
jducharme I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4	Re: Raintree imposter I think you're right. Here's the bark.

11th August 2010, 06:46 PM	#12
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Raintree imposter Well, you seemed pretty sure in your first response!

13th August 2010, 12:41 AM	#14
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Raintree imposter Its actually a fair bit of fun to sit back and watch you folks scramble to name these things; especially when it goes around several times before it stops for good. I was just poking some fun at you, you're all more knowledgeable than am I as far as this stuff goes.

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