The Plane Trees of France
The plane trees of France. Apart from Paris, one of my first memories of la France was as a teenager, driving down to the French Riviera. It took two or three days as we drove through tiny villages, stopping for long lazy lunches in the sun. There were no autoroutes in those days.
Narrow country roads, lined with plane trees - I've never forgotten - the beginning of my love affair with France.
Here's one of those wonders in the Jardin Biovès in Menton.
I remember the plane trees along the road to the railway station of the tiny village where my grandparents lived. As a kid these were the only trees I knew (not much better now).
ReplyDeleteWell, we share a memory. I too remember these trees. I think at one point that there was talk of removing them from certain roads, since they were a 'threat' to drivers who occasionally slam into them.
ReplyDeleteThis photograph looks like an exquisite abstract painting.
ReplyDeleteWill you please post this tree in full size...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of art, caressed by it's own nature...
ReplyDeleteDavid
Siva, sorry, I didn't take any full length photos that day - just the detail. Will take one another time. I never tire of these magnificent trees.
ReplyDeleteUnusual looking bark; now I must google the tree to learn more.
ReplyDeleteKate, it's a sycamore in America!
ReplyDelete@ Bibi - I remember the same talk for the same reason!
ReplyDeleteThe word camouflage comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteQuite interesting and beautiful bark!!
I remember seeing these trees for the first time in Barcelona and thinking how beautiful they were/are. There's something about what happens to them in the Mediterranean light... Thanks for your lovely photo/words as I've often wondered how many other people share my affection for plane trees.
ReplyDeleteI was going to comment and say it looks like our American Sycamore but then before I got down to here I read the comments and Kate had already mentioned it. These trees are monumental giants over here and the canopies filled with charming birds that sing the sweetest songs like the famed Baltimore Oriole shown on My Birds Blog today.
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without them when the sun is burning? There are so many different varieties of plane trees in the South.
ReplyDeleteHow beutiful and unusual. I can see why the image stayed with you.
ReplyDeletethis looks like a military camouflage tree with the dappled greens. I am glad you enjoyed the photos on my site. We will have to enjoy tea one day together.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo, like Brattcat I think it looks like an abstract painting.
ReplyDeleteTree shaded roads.....I remember too, sat with no seat belt in the back of the car of my parents.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting bark. The pastel colors make it look delicate.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with France partly through seeing those roads in French movies!
ReplyDelete...and Sydney is a city of plane trees too (the London plane)
ReplyDeleteThere's one on Manchester Road in Southport. I love these trees, they always remind me of the Var region of France.
ReplyDelete