Last leaves of autumn

A wander in the Botanic Gardens today reminded me that winter is nearly here, although the mild temperatures might indicate otherwise.  Not many leaves left on the trees now, and just a few on this plane tree.

The cultivated plane tree is known as Platanus x acerifolia, reflecting the similar leaves to those of  maples and sycamores.  Interestingly, the European sycamore is known as Acer pseudoplatanus.  Very confusing!  Plane tree bark is distinctive, as it peels off in characteristic plates, leaving large, paler patches on the trunk. Both plane and maple trees have palmate leaves.

I was disappointed that there was no opportunity to follow Jim Harding's example and photograph a thick bed of fallen leaves.  The gardeners in the Botanic Gardens rake them all up, and the few that remain are soaked and soggy after recent rain.