Platanus x hispanica Suttneri

The Platanus x hispanica 'Suttneri' is a variety of plane tree with maple-like leaves and beautiful variegated foliage. The leaves emerge in a pinkish-green to light green shade, and then during the summer, they transform into a captivating marbled mix of green and cream-white spots. In autumn, the leaf takes on a beautiful yellow-brown colouration. The crown is semi-open, oval, and spreading. This deciduous tree, with slow growth, is smaller than other varieties of the species, reaching 8 to 15 metres (26 to 49 feet) in height at maturity, depending on the growing conditions. Its late leafing turns yellow-brown in autumn, and its trunk is covered with a characteristic bark that peels off in large flakes.

The Plane tree, also known as Platanus x hispanica, is a tree resulting from the crossbreeding of an American Sycamore and an Oriental Plane. This occurred in Spain and England in 1650. The hybrid is almost sterile and mainly reproduces from cuttings. It has a lifespan of hundreds of years.

The cultivar Platanus x hispanica 'Suttneri' reaches an average height of about 12 metres (39 feet) with a spread of 9 metres (29 feet), depending on the growing conditions. Its growth is slower than that of the species-type. It is characterised by a wide, slender, and sturdy trunk, supporting an oval, broad, and airy crown formed by solid main branches. The bark is distinctive, cracking into large scales, revealing light areas. 

The tough and glossy leaves of the 'Suttneri' Plane tree unfold in pinkish-green to light green shades, divided into 3 or 7 pointed and slightly toothed lobes. During the summer, they become green, marbled, and punctuated with cream-white, then turn yellow and brown in autumn before falling. Their decomposition is slow, requiring gardeners to spend long hours collecting them. In spring, young shoots are covered in light brown hair that can cause eye irritation, throat irritation, and respiratory issues. The unusual flowering of this tree occurs in May, with flowers clustered in 'pompons' hanging from long peduncles. The female and male flowers are present on the same tree but separated. After wind pollination, the female flowers produce tiny fruits called achenes, surrounded by downy hairs. These strange, long-lasting pompons remain on the branches long after the leaves have fallen.

The 'Suttneri' Plane tree is very hardy and adapts easily to different types of deep soils, including polluted urban areas or very dry regions. It also tolerates pruning if done correctly. Being relatively small, it can be planted as a standalone tree in a garden. The Plane tree is a good tree for parks, even in shady areas. However, some types of Plane trees are susceptible to several exotic pests and diseases, including two deadly fungi that cause coloured canker and black spot, as well as the plane tree bug, which is a sucking insect that could potentially spread these diseases. These epidemics are often caused by trees being too close together and mass pruning operations carried out without proper precautions. Despite these risks, the plane tree has many good qualities that make it worth planting.