Platanus x hispanica El Gordo

Platanus x hispanica El Gordo is a variety of Plane tree with maple-like leaves that is interesting for the beauty of its foliage, its harmonious habit, its vigor, and its natural resistance to pests and cold temperatures. This imposing deciduous tree is characterised by very large palmate leaves that turn pleasantly colourful in autumn, and its trunk is covered in bark that peels off in large plates, revealing areas of light yellow to white colour. With particularly fast growth, hardiness, adaptability to different soil types, and tolerance to summer drought, the El Gordo plane tree is an excellent shade tree for parks and large gardens.

The Common Plane tree is a hybrid between the Western plane tree (Platanus occidentalis), native to North America, and the Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis), native to Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. This crossbreeding occurred in Spain (hence the name Platanus x hispanica), but also in England around 1650. Almost sterile, this hybrid produces very few viable seeds and mainly propagates through cuttings. Its lifespan can reach several hundred years.

The 'El Gordo' Plane tree is a horticultural variety that can reach a height of 30 to 40 m (98 to 131ft) with a spread of 20-30 m (66-98ft), depending on the growing conditions. It has a very rapid growth rate and develops a wide, slender, and robust trunk. The crown is pyramid-shaped, wide, and airy, supported by sturdy, slightly upright branches. The bark, characteristic of the species, cracks into large plates, revealing lighter-coloured areas. This plane tree bears tough, glossy, green leaves that can reach a width of 45 cm (18in), divided into 3 or 7 pointed and slightly toothed lobes. They turn yellow and then brown in autumn before falling. They decompose very slowly, often requiring long cleanup sessions for gardeners. In spring, the young shoots are covered in light brown hairs that can be irritating to the eyes, throat, and respiratory system. The unusual flowering occurs in May: the flowers are gathered in 'pompoms' hanging from long stems. On plane trees, the female and male flowers are separate but present on the same tree. After wind pollination, the female flowers produce tiny fruits called achenes, surrounded by a downy covering. These curious pompom-like infructescences persist on the branches for a long time after the leaves have fallen.

The 'El Gordo' plane tree, highly adaptable and hardy, thrives in deep soils, including polluted urban areas or the very dry regions and it tolerates pruning when properly done. These qualities make it an excellent tree for parks, shading, or avenues. Depending on the cultivars, plane trees can be more or less susceptible to several exotic pests and diseases: two deadly fungi that cause canker disease and black spots, as well as the plane tree bug, a sucking insect considered a likely vector of these diseases.  As is often the case, these epidemics are favoured by overcrowding as well as mass pruning carried out without particular precautions. The plane tree remains a very interesting plant , hosting a whole little-known fauna under and on its unusual and characteristic bark.