Here is
another installment to the series for you treepeople out
there.
One thing I try to consider with these Tree ID caches is proximity
to parking. Just in case any of you non-climbing geocachers
want to learn about the trees, you will not have to make a long
hike without the hopes of a smiley. This cache is
in a park that my sister used to live very near, and I would play
on this tree when I would visit her home.
Many
people, myself included, have mistaken this tree for the Ohio
Native - American Sycamore. They are closely related, but
this is a hybrid species, the differences between the two can be
subtle in many specimens.
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Leaf
Characteristics
- broad, flat
leaves
- simple
leaves
- lobed
leaves
- palmately
lobed
- notches too
shallow to be very apparent
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Fruit
Characteristics
- other fruit (not
cone, winged, acorn, or in pod or capsule)
- tightly packed
seeds
- seeds in capsules,
packed in non-burlike balls
- seed balls dry,
grouped 2 - 5 together
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London Planetree
Platanus
acerifolia
This hybrid tree was developed
before 1700, probably through a cross between our native Sycamore
and the Oriental Planetree. The specific scientific name,
acerifolia, refers to the maple-like appearance of the leaves.
Brown, green and gray patches mark the smooth bark of this tree.
Also, the bark peels away in large flakes. This tree grows well in
moist soils of humid temperate regions. Landscapers have planted it
widely throughout the United States including Ohio. Used widely as
an ornamental, many consider this to be perhaps the best tree in
the United States for lining streets. The London Planetree also is
suitable for being pruned to form hedges, screens and arbors. On
the grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna workers have
developed and maintained a living tree hedge from the London
Planetree.
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Tree
Size
height up to 70'
diameter up to
2'
Bark
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I am
rating this one at a 4.5 star terrain only due to the entry, which
is at the very apex of my abilities (without gear, or
assistance). I sprained my ankle trying to enter this tree 2
weeks ago. I had to come back and try again with more
appropriate footwear
on.
As
always, Be safe, do not cache beyond your limits, and most of
all Have
fun!
Tree I.D. 01 - Catalpa
Tree I.D. 02 - Eastern Cottonwood
Tree I.D. 03 - Sycamore
Tree I.D. 04 - Osage Orange
Tree I.D. 05 - White Poplar
Tree I.D. 06 - Austrian Pine
Tree I.D. 07 & 08 - Red Mulberry & Honey Locust
Tree I.D. 09 ?
Tree I.D. 10 - Silver Maple
Tree I.D. 11 - American Sweet Gum
Tree I.D. 12 - White Ash
Tree I.D. 13 - Shagbark Hickory
Tree I.D. 14 - White Oak
Tree I.D. 15 - Hackberry
Tree I.D. 16 - Pin Oak
Tree I.D. 17 - London Planetree
Tree I.D. 18 - Weeping Willow
Tree I.D. 19 - Red Oak (non climber)
Tree I.D. 20 - Mockernut Hickory