King of the Urban Forest - Paris

There is a tree species that in my opinion deserves the title of "King of the Urban Forest". This tree is known in the English language as the London Plane tree (species: Platanus x hispanica). In this post I am going to highlight this tree in the city of Paris, France where it is known as the "Platane Commun" or "platane à feuille d'érable" (which means "Maple Leaf Plane"). The first two pictures in this post (above and below) are of the "Avenue des Champs-Élysées" which is lined on both sides by rows of London Plane trees. Many consider this street to be the most beautiful in the world. It stands to reason that the most beautiful urban street should be lined with the tree that I am calling the King of the Urban Forest.

The next picture (below) is of a group of about five London Plane trees at one end of the Notre-Dame Cathedral which is the the seat of the Archbishop of Paris and one of the most visited Cathedrals in the world. Again, it seems fiting that the tree species chosen to adorn the plaza in front of the Cathedral should be London Planes. The statue in front of the trees is of Charlemagne.

The next image is of the "Place de la Nation" plaza on the east side of Paris. On the inside of its large traffic circle (the French seem to like large traffic circles!) there are a number of large London Plane trees like the one in the photo.

I´m not exactly sure who the statue is of in the next image but the tree behind the statue is a fine example of yet another London Plane. This tree is one of many that can be found in the "Jardin des Tuileries" that stretches from the "Lourve" to the "Place de la Concorde" plaza.

The last picture is of a colonnade like row of London Planes in the "Jardin des Plantes" botanical garden.

check out my post about an Osage Orange by the Eiffel Tower.