Every time, referring to the topic of plants in the park KPI, never cease to amaze the variety of species represented here. It is not necessary to go to the famous Sofievka or Alexandria, one has only to look at green crowns, freely spread over the tracks, and learn the history of local and overseas beauties. And have another reason to rejoice that belong to a wonderful family - KPI.
What is its name?
By this giant broadleaf with exotic fruits and quirky barrel there ran absolutely all applicants and students of the university. Close to the admission committee, near 17th building, for many years it observes human vanity, timid awe of former school kids, joyful look of applicants, boundless happiness freshmen, everyday business students and staff, the procession of graduates. Inside his family he is the hundred years old teenager, because there are here the trees of 2 thousand years old. Most often, it is called "eastern maple" - for the similarity of leaves, but maple leaves are in size 5-6 cm, and his - 25 cm. And the name "button-tree", apparently, for the similarities fruit-balls on this item of clothing. In the eastern nations it is called chinar-tree. But the most famous name - Sycamore (from the Greek "platos" - wide). The trunk of the tree can reach 5-6 m in diameter, and the crown - up to 40 meters. Therefore another name - a shady tree. Over the years, with sycamore bark occurs the same as that of the skin of the snake: intensive growth in width makes it "cover reset" large plates, exposing young green layers. A modest Slavic soul for such striptease nicknamed tree a shameless.
Trace in the history
Many stories and legends are told about the sycamore! Ancient Greeks and Persians considered it the most beautiful tree and planted them everywhere. In Sparta sycamore tree was considered the tree of Helen Beautiful and was decorated with lotus flowers. It is also dedicated to the most beautiful men - Apollo, Dionysus, Hercules. They say that under the crown of the ancient sycamore the Greek philosopher Socrates debated with his disciples. During the Roman Empire sycamores were "wandering" on the northern conquests, altering the local landscape. Under the sycamore in the XVIII century Georgian Tsar Irakli II, made the fateful decision - to appeal to the Russian Empire for protection and patronage.
By the way, until now in Spain there is a tradition – in parting lovers tear the leaf of sycamore in half and keep it as a guarantee of the meeting. Business people also did not pass the tree. For example, “Buttonwood Tree Agreement” - 24 stock brokers’ agreement, signed May 17, 1792 under the sycamore tree in front of the house at 68 Wall Street, which was the beginning of the creation of a powerful financial institution I n the world - the New York Stock Exchange
Translations and stories
Sycamores live very long, the most distinguished are given the names. The oldest tree, now known is the contemporary of the construction of the Great Wall of China, but it is growing not in China but in Turkey. 50-meter tree has a trunk with diameter of more than 13 m. As if backing Turkmen blue sky, near the village of Firyuza it is growing millennial sycamore "Seven Brothers". The powerful trunk is formed by seven smaller. According to legend, seven brothers who fought for freedom, buried their sister and long mourned. Then the plane trees that grew on the graves, came together and embraced each other and have grown together, against all odds.
Our contemporary
Sycamore is not only beautiful, but also useful: it is growing rapidly, crown cleans the atmosphere, strong root system strengthens the soil. The tree is unpretentious, not susceptible to the diseases, gives a beautiful wood veneer for furniture and other products used in medicine. Chinar increasingly planted in cities with a cool climate, the tree is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also gives the elusive trail of the past.