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Planetree (Platanus acerifolia “exclamation”)
Nice to meet you!
I’m a magnificent planetree, also known as a London plane. I’m very hardy and can live a long time, sometimes even centuries! I’m also tall and imposing, with a dense and sprawling crown that provides pleasant shade in the summer. My large, palm-shaped leaves are a bit like those of a maple tree, explaining my scientific name, acerifolia.
I can thrive in a variety of different soils and climates. I’m also quite resistant to diseases and pests, making me a common feature of parks and city streets.
Why the greening team loves the planetree:
We love planting planetrees in urban areas, because they can absorb air pollution and provide cleaner, safer air. They also provide a delightful shady canopy.
HIS MOST RECENT ACTIVITIES
Here, we measure the tree's condition to determine whether it's sleeping, doing well or in protection mode. We also measure the contribution of potted trees to air cooling and the elimination of airborne pollutants.
Help us identify our potted trees! Click here to suggest a name.
LEARN MORE
Air cooling:
Did you know that trees transpire through their leaves? If you attach sap-flow sensors to the tree trunks, you can calculate the cooling effect of the trees. You just need to compare the surrounding temperature to the impact of the tree’s transpiration and shade. Isn’t that impressive?
The elimination of pollutant gases:
Trees are our best allies in the fight to eliminate pollutant gases! Thanks to sensors attached to the tree trunks, we can measure the amount of ozone that is absorbed by the leaves via their stomata (the cells that allow a plant to breathe, transpire and photosynthesize).
Why are we collecting this information?
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and its greening team have placed 93 trees in planters around the Quartier des Spectacles. The goal is to make downtown Montreal greener and more resilient in the face of climate change. To optimize its greening initiatives, the Partnership is collaborating with a specialized team and various academic partners. Two research projects are currently underway, in collaboration with UQAM. One of the studies focuses on how trees cope in the high-stress conditions of a city centre, while the other explores the impact of trees on the well-being of the population.
Click here to learn more about the research projects on the potted trees at the Quartier des Spectacles.
