Tree species: Sycamore (maple-leaved; Platanus acerifalia)
Location: Hansemannplatz
Trunk circumference: 3.85 meters
Trunk height: 30 meters
Age: approx. 150 years
The gate in the city wall on the road towards Cologne used to be at this point. The plane tree marks this historic site and stands at one of Aachen's busiest intersections. Plane trees are robust urban trees, as they are reasonably tolerant of exhaust fumes and relatively high temperatures in city centers.
Nevertheless, it is very difficult to be a tree at this intersection: The roots have to find their way through the compacted soil and between supply and disposal pipes and a large proportion of the crown area, i.e. the area below the naturally formed tree crown, is sealed and makes water absorption difficult. This plane tree is regularly checked and cared for by arborists to ensure it is safe for traffic. The stately plane tree must also always be taken into account when structural changes are made to the junction and, for example, the traffic routing, as it forms a design boundary between the rows of trees on Wilhelmsallee and Heinrichsallee.
