The tree Platanus Kerri is native to China and Korea, where it is in forests at altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 feet (1,829 to 3,048 m). The leaves are dark green on the top side and lighter green underneath. They grow to 8 inches (20 cm) long and are flat and pointed at the ends. The flowers are tiny white blossoms that grow in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is a brown ball that ripens in October and November.
You will learn about its uses, root system, and more. So keep reading.
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Platanus Kerrii Growth Rate
It has a fast growth rate and prefers full sun. But it will also tolerate partial shade. It grows best in areas where it receives plenty of water during its first year, especially during droughts in the summer months.
This tree prefers moist soil with good drainage. It does not like standing water or flooded conditions for extended periods because it can cause root rot. If planted in poor soil, it may need fertilizing once every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months until it gets established in its new home.
Life Span of Platanus Kerrii
The lifespan of a Platanus Kerrii is between 50 and 100 years. The tree can live up to 150 years, but this is rare. Also, the lifespan can vary depending on its environment.
Here are some tips for maintaining your Platanus Kerri:
- Watering
- Pruning
- Fertilizing
Watering
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water often during dry periods (if there is no rainfall) with a slow soak or misting spray rather than deep watering once or twice per week. Deep watering can cause root rot if done too often or too much at one time.
Pruning
Light pruning helps remove dead branches or maintain the shape and size of the tree. Pruning can also help encourage flowering by removing old flower buds before they open (this will not harm the tree).
Fertilizing
Fertilize with slow-release fertilizer every six months from spring until autumn.
Heights of Platanus Kerrii
The height of a Platanus kerrii tree is dependent on its location, soil, and climate. On average, however, a mature tree can reach 60 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 8 feet. The tallest known specimen of this species is in Central Park, New York City, United States of America. It has reached a height of 72 feet with a circumference of 25 feet at breast height.
The flowering of Platanus Kerrii
The flowers are small and white, but they are produced in such large numbers that they give the tree a snow-white appearance. It happens every year, usually between February and March.
The tree starts to flower when it is about 20 years old. At this time, its leaves begin to change color and fall off. The leaves of young trees are green or bluish-green, while those of older trees are dark green with a bluish tinge.
The seeds germinate well if they fall on sandy soil or an enriched surface with compost or manure. They can get sown directly into pots which should be damp until germination occurs (about three weeks). If you transplant them after germination, make sure that the young plants have at least one root showing above ground level for support during transplanting.
Uses of Platanus Kerrii
Platanus Kerrii helps with many things, and they include:
- Serving as a shade
- windbreak purposes
- Making furniture
- Food source
- Tea Making
Serving as a shade
The large canopy provides excellent shade for your lawn or garden. It makes it ideal if you’re trying to grow vegetables or flowers in an area that gets full sun during most of the day.
windbreak purposes
These trees grow tall and wide, making them excellent windbreaks around your home or garden. If you live in an area with tough winds, planting Platanus Kerrii around your property can help protect your home from damage caused by high winds.
Making furniture
Its wood can help in making furniture and tools. 1
Food source
It also provides food for animals such as elephants and giraffes.
Tea Making
The leaves help make tea, which helps reduce pain and fever.
Root System of Platanus Kerrii
The root system has numerous roots that grow out of the stem and extend to the soil, where they absorb water and nutrients. In most plants, the roots are underground to access water and mineral elements needed by the plant. However, some plants have aerial roots which grow above ground level and help obtain water from the air or other sources.
Platanus kerrii has a deep taproot with fibrous roots at various intervals. The taproot grows down into the soil up to 8 feet (2.4 m). The fibrous roots spread out laterally for about 3 feet (90 cm) along the ground’s surface. Each root has an average length of about 6 inches (15 cm).
Pests and Threats of Platanus Kerrii
The following are some of the pests that can cause problems for the Platanus kerrii:
- Powdery mildew
- Scale insects
- Spiders
- Black spots
- The Diamondback moth (Plutella Xylostella)
Powdery mildew
This fungus causes white powdery spots on leaves, leading to leaf dieback. Powdery mildew tends to thrive in areas with high humidity.
Scale insects
These scale insects are small, flat insects that feed on plants by sucking plant sap. They often appear as small bumps on bark or leaves and can range in color from yellowish to brownish-black. Scale insects usually do not kill trees. Instead, they weaken them over time by draining them of nutrients and water.
Spiders
So, spiders are like orb-weavers, which weave webs around tree limbs and trunks, potentially damaging bark as they wrap their webs around it.
Black spots
They show in their appearance of circular spots on the tree’s leaves. These spots are often brown in color but may also be black in some cases. These spots have a yellow border surrounding them when they first appear. They grow in size over time.
The fungus that causes this disease gets spread by various insects, including whiteflies and aphids. These insects feed on plant sap, causing damage to the plant tissue, which allows the fungus to enter and infect new areas of the plant. It leads to further damage within the plant tissue, loke leaf dieback, or death.
The Diamondback moth (Plutella Xylostella)
This moth lays its eggs on young leaves, and after hatching, they feed on the leaves, causing them to curl up and die off prematurely.
Barks of Platanus Kerrii
The bark of Platanus kerrii is a beautiful and unique texture. It has an intricate pattern with grooves that run vertically down the trunk, creating a rough touch. This bark is very thick and hard. Also, it is durable against weathering, fire, and pests. The individual bark plates are thick and dark brown with small white spots.
Fruits of Platanus Kerrii
The fruit is a small subglobose drupe 2–3 cm in diameter; they are green ripening brownish-orange when ripe in late autumn or winter.
Woods of Platanus Kerrii
The wood helps in making furniture and cabinetry, among other things. It gets valued for its strength and durability. It also has resistance to water damage due to its high oil content.
The wood of Platanus kerrii gets characterized by a straight grain with an even texture that makes it easy to work on it. This quality makes it ideal for making furniture and cabinets. However, it is not very dense; thus, the weight of such items made from this wood will be lighter than those made from denser woods such as oak or mahogany.
Citations Used in this Article
- Platanus (Wikipedia.org)