Plane trees or plain trees?

"... have *now* become common." --- I'm surprised about the word 'now'. Roads with trees on either side have always been common in Europe. In some areas, the trees have been cut off because the roads are too narrow for the traffic of today. In summer such roads can be a nuisance for drivers. When the sun is shining, there is a constant change of bright light and shadow because of the leaves. That can be irritating. There is even a traffic sign warning drivers.

Those are platanus, very common in every European country. They are drought-tolerant this is why they are used as ornamental trees, especially by roadsides.

As a child, I always wondered why they were called plane trees. What, I thought, could they possibly have to do with aeroplanes? I don't remember ever thinking that they might be 'plain' or, perhaps, that they were a tree that was called that because they grew on plains. That's odd, perhaps: I suppose that, by the time I knew the name, I already knew how it was spelled and knew that 'plain' and 'plane' were two quite different words. I believe that the word 'plane' is a corruption of the Latin name 'platanus' (but then why aren't they called 'plate trees'?) but it actually comes from the Greek word 'platos' meaning 'broad' (referring to the leaves, I believe) - the same word from which we get 'plate' and 'platitude', I think.

Most towns around here, including ours, have signs says 'friendly' of 'the best'...so far I don't agree LOL

when i was young, i will knew that we are in near our house if we see those acacia trees on both side of the road. sad that those tree are starting to be gone :(

We have a sign that crosses the street, like a bridge, that reads "Historic Manitou Springs" at the city limit.

I have never heard of plain or plane trees. A new one on me.

There are one or two Roundabouts here but I could not get to photograph them as they were on an awkward angle for me Usually they are mainly flowers and stuff with stonework in between. I will see if I can get a photo or two of them when I can.

Where I live ,we once lined the streets with plane trees,now we have replaced them with camphor trees,because many people are allergic to the fruit hair of plane trees.

The tree lined street looks very appealing. Many of our communities have attractive signs welcoming you...ill have to start taking some photographs...

This little town I live in now had an old part and its lined with huge homes that date back into the 1800`s. My home town has a media filled with Crepe Mertle trees.

I've heard of these, but never actually seen any... I think

These roads with tall trees surrounding them are very beautiful. I prefer not to have signs.

Oh, these trees are not related to airplanes or something? These trees grew up well in France, must be the climate

We have beautifully landscaped entry areas into our city with signs that say "where nature and culture meet."

That is a very attractive roadway. I hope they do not need to widen it.

All Los Angeles has are city limits signs with the population number on the freeways leading in.

picture is like in movies, and it looks like one lady in traditional french gown is about to appear right front

I really miss fishing... And with that scenery, I could stay there for a long time.