Other commercial names – German Platane; Ahornblättrige Platane English European plane Botanical name Platanus acerifolia General information The most commonly planted plane tree in Europe is the common plane tree (P. acerifolia). It originated in 1650 from a cross between the American plane tree (P. occidentalis) and the Oriental plane tree (P. orientalis) and proved to be robust and relatively resistant to pollutants. Unlike the latter, it is also frost-resistant. For these reasons, it quickly became a plant for parks and avenues in European cities. Although the plane tree is often planted along streets, it must be pruned regularly, due to its broad crown and therefore the susceptibility to branch breakage by the wind. Old, isolated specimens develop robust branches that reach into space; these trees are truly majestic figures and live up to 1000 years. The most famous is the Plataniotissa from Kalavrita in Greece. According to legend, this tree has existed since 352 AD, and has a circumference of 23 m. Wood characteristics The plane tree forms a differentiated heartwood, which when vaporized takes on a brown-red hue. The plane tree has a wood with diffuse porosity, and in this group it is the second species that has large and conspicuous medullary rays. In cross-section, the widening of the medullary rays is evident in the plane tree (similarly to the beech) at the edge of the annual rings. The radial section is especially appreciated for this characteristic, which due to this widening is dominated by rays more than a centimeter high, which appear as large and shiny mirrors. Properties Plane wood is medium heavy (dry density of 600 kg/m3) and medium hard (Brinell hardness of 16 – 25 N/mm2). It is difficult to split. It is not particularly stable, which leads to curvature and cracking when dried. Plane wood is sometimes very easy to work with, sometimes quite easy; on the contrary, the surface treatment is easy to do. This wood dulls and polishes well and has a typical texture, similar to leather. However, it is neither weather-resistant nor durable. Uses Plane wood is found mainly in the production of fingerboards or backs and sides, resin coating is recommended for fingerboards. Guitar 22 frets 50cm x 70/65mm x 7mm Guitar 24 frets 53cm x 70/65mm x 7mm Bass 4 strings 70cm x 70/65mm x 7mm For bass fingerboards 6 strings, ask for availability and price