Can anyone help me to indentify this tree for me 
please?
They grow along the main street of Levin and also in Whanganui I discovered on Monday. They get pruned back to these unusual stumpy branches in autumn and they will sprout forth in spring and be clothed in large shady leaves.
ordinarygoodness 
Are they plane trees which have been pollarded?
Another follower has suggested that it is a plane tree Ruth. Now I know what pollarded means. Thank you. They are gnarly looking trees at this time of the year.
We have them down Linwood Avenue here, which is why they are familiar. I think our ones have missed out on being pollarded lately because of earthquake priorities.
I guess the Linwood Ave plane trees will be growing taller then Ruth. I think our neighbour has just taken out some rotten plane trees which he used to prune back every winter but they were leaner specimens than this one.
I don’t know but I have seen them in Christchurch, somewhere.
It seems that they are Plane trees which have been pollarded. That is a new word for me!!!
Pollarding looks as though it should give discomfort to the tree but they seem to manage very well.
It does seem to stunt the trees but every year they bounce back. Not all trees would respond to pollarding so well.
A pollarded plane tree I think. We have a lot of them in Auckland.
Others agree with you Juliet. We don’t seem to have pollarded plane trees where I live. I suspect the local ones are allowed to grow tall.
Wow the pollarding leaves the tree looking as though its shaking its fists towards heaven 🙂
I like your metaphor. It reminded me a bulky giant as I stood near it to take the photo.
…not sure, but I hate how ugly they become when they are pollarded like this. Having said that, this one looks like a strong man practicing.
I like your metaphor – a strong man showing off his biceps!!
Pingback: It is plainly a Plane Tree | ordinarygoodness
They are indeed plane trees – there are a lot in Collingwood Street in central Nelson. The pollarding keeps them at a lower height and promotes very dense branches, so the tough cutback serves for lush growth come springtime.
They must be one of the most popular trees on New Zealand’s streets.
Well, I have never seen such tree. I was surprised that you found my knitting blog before I had a chance to send you a link to find it. Best wishes, Judy
It is a Plane tree Judy that has been cut back every year stunting its growth. They do have wonderfully large green leaves in spring and summer so are great shade trees. Welcome back to blogging!!!
Thanks 🙂
🙂