Walking from the riverside for morning exercises, Qingjiang Crane saw a tall and straight plane tree blooming on the slope. The flowers are very beautiful but seem a little lonely and "empty", which makes people a little troubled.
In the memory of Qingjiang Crane, the plane tree used to be a kind of tree species that people in the countryside vied to plant.
Picture 01~02): different varieties of sycamore flowers
When the Qingjiang cranes were grazing cattle in the mountains when they were children, the villagers liked to plant the sycamore trees on their own "self-kept mountains", on the ridges of their own land, in front of the houses and behind the houses, and on the scattered corners. As long as there is a place where trees can be planted, the neighbors will plant a plane tree somewhere.
In Qingjiang Crane's doubts, he has not been able to figure out why the villagers like to plant plane trees so much.
Later, an elder in Qingjiang He's hometown went on a blind date many times without success, and the uncle next door persuaded him to plant a few plane trees next to the house, maybe next time he would get married.
Originally, people thought that if a farmer wanted to marry a daughter-in-law, he had to plant a plane tree. Because the folk believe that only when the plane tree is planted can the phoenix come.
Picture 03~04): Sycamore trees in autumn
In this issue of pictures and texts, Qingjiang Crane will focus on and chat with all of you and teachers about the topic of "Sycamore Tree", I hope you like and actively participate in interactive comments, forward and share this issue of pictures and texts.
Plant a good "plane tree" to attract "phoenix to perch":
The earliest record of the cultivation of sycamore trees began in the "Book of Songs" in the "Daya ~ Shengmin Zhi Shi ~ Juan A".
Zaiwen said: "The phoenix is singing, in the high post, the sycamore is born, and the sun is rising in the sun." This is probably the earliest classic source of "planting a plane tree, attracting a phoenix".
Over the course of 5,000 years of history and culture, the sycamore tree has become a "marriage" tree in people's minds, deeply rooted in people's hearts. Therefore, when people write wedding couplets, they often hook up with the plane tree: "The phoenix falls on the sycamore, the phoenix falls on the phoenix, and the beads are combined with the beads."
Picture 05~06): Sycamore fruit from a sycamore tree
The sycamore tree in the legend of the ancients is divided into male and female, the sycamore tree is the male tree, and the paulownia tree is the female tree. The sycamore grows with the same life, and dies with the old. So the plane tree has become synonymous with "love story". Actually, the sycamore tree is a monoecious plant that is somewhat inconsistent with this legend.
"Records of Observations" contains: "Sycamore birds dare not perch, stop avoiding the phoenix". This means that no bird on the plane tree, except for the phoenix, does not dare to perch on it.
This may be the beautiful imagination that people give to the love story of the plane tree. Because in the minds of the ancients, the phoenix was a "divine bird" with the universe, and it did not inhabit unless it was a sycamore. "Fengqi Wutong" will bring good luck to people, including "loss of power" in marriage. Therefore, planting a good plane tree will attract "phoenix to perch".
Picture 07~08): Sycamore trees are also known as hollow wood
The sycamore tree is a common deciduous tree:
The sycamore tree, as a deciduous tree, is loved by people for its unique form and growth characteristics. From a botanical point of view, the sycamore tree has a number of distinctive characteristics.
First of all, the canopy of the plane tree is umbrella-shaped, with lush foliage, which provides good shade for the urban environment. Its leaves are heart-shaped or palm-shaped, with a smooth surface and bright green color, which is of great ornamental value.
Secondly, the flowers of the sycamore tree are one of its highlights. Every spring, the sycamore flowers bloom in clusters on the branches, blooming with an elegant and fresh fragrance, bringing a vibrant scene to the city. In autumn, the yellow-green gradient of the sycamore leaves adds to the charm of autumn.
Finally, the fruit of the sycamore tree is spherical in shape and when ripe, it cracks and scatters its seeds. These seeds are an important way for sycamore trees to reproduce their offspring and are a reflection of biodiversity in nature.
Picture 09~10): Fruit from a plane tree
Sycamore trees are also fast-growing species, growing faster than other tree species. Under normal circumstances, planting for 3~5 years, you can quickly grow into beams, 8~9 years of plane trees, can be used as boards, build houses and houses, very practical value. This may be another important reason why people especially plant plane trees. Because of the ancient house construction, there were no "reinforced concrete concrete" bungalows, all of which were civil structures. The rapid timber of the plane tree provides people with higher and more use value and economic benefits for building houses.
Sycamore trees are highly adaptable and can thrive and develop in a variety of soils:
Sycamore trees are adaptable and can grow in a variety of soil conditions, but the most suitable soils are deep, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. They love full sunshine, and as a result, in sunny places, plane trees are able to thrive well.
The plane tree grows fast, the trunk is straight and straight, and it has high ornamental value and ecological function. On both sides of the city's roads and parks, plane trees are often planted as street trees and landscape trees, adding greenery and beauty to the city.
Picture 11~12): Sycamore fruit
However, although the plane tree is highly adaptable to the environment, it also has some problems. For example, the plane tree has a well-developed root system, which is easy to cause damage to surrounding buildings and underground pipes, and at the same time, it has a large number of fallen leaves, which requires regular cleaning and maintenance, and the maintenance cost is relatively high.
Why people rarely plant "phoenix trees":
Despite the many advantages of the sycamore tree, other species are often chosen for the actual production of the tree. Why? There are several reasons for this:
One is that the pollen and fruits of the sycamore tree are prone to allergies. Sycamore flowers have a large amount of pollen and a wide range of dispersion, which may trigger allergic reactions for people with allergies. The fruit of the sycamore tree has thorns on the surface, which is easy to puncture the skin, which also increases the difficulty and risk of planting.
Picture 13~14): Sycamore trees in early spring
Second, there are many pests and diseases of sycamore trees. Common pests and diseases include powdery mildew, aphids, etc., which not only affect the growth and ornamental value of sycamore trees, but also cause infection and damage to the surrounding plants and ground.
Third, the cost of planting and management is high. Due to the well-developed root system of the sycamore tree (thick and long straight roots), a large planting space is required. Sometimes it has a "damaging" effect on nearby buildings. At the same time, it has a lot of fallen leaves, which need to be cleaned and maintained regularly, which increases management costs.
The three more rains on the sycamore leaves, the sound of the leaves is parting:
In traditional Chinese culture, the plane tree also carries a rich historical and cultural connotation. Ancient literati and writers often used the plane tree as the theme to express their emotions and sorrows, and to express their ideals.
Legend has it that the sycamore is the habitat of the phoenix. As a symbol of good luck, the phoenix is often associated with the plane tree, forming many beautiful legends and stories.
Picture 15~16): Sycamore tree with yellowed leaves
Wang Di of the Song Dynasty wrote Wutong in "Joy of Coolness": "Who plays the flute is in the small building, and the jade curtain hook is not lowered in the middle of the night." The cool breeze knocks off the sycamore leaves, and the pieces fly in autumn." This is the sycamore tree that the poet wrote about in autumn. There is a sense of autumn "sadness".
Li Yu wrote Wutong in his words "Seeing Huan ~ Going to the West Building Alone Without Words": "Go up to the West Building alone without words, and the moon is like a hook." Lonely Wutong deep courtyard lock Qingqiu. Cut constantly, the reason is still messy, it is sorrowful, don't be a general taste in the heart. "This kind of hurt don't hate is not very heart-wrenching.
In addition, the plane tree has a strong association with ancient architecture. In ancient architecture, sycamore trees were often used as decorations in courtyards, contrasting with pavilions and pavilions, creating a simple and elegant atmosphere.
Picture 17~18): Tall plane tree
Words written at the end of "Sycamore":
To sum up, as a tree species with unique botanical characteristics and growth habits, although it has been "despised" in the actual planting process, its beautiful form and rich cultural connotation still make people love and respect it.