Platanus acerifolia - Deciduous - London Plane Tree Page

Platanus acerifolia London Plane Tree is a stunning deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 meters, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape. The bark of the tree is usually pale grey-green or buff-brown, smooth or exfoliating. The thick, stiff-textured leaves are broad, palmately lobed with a maple-like appearance and can grow up to 20cm long and 25cm broad, adding to the tree's distinctive beauty. The London Plane is a hybrid cross between American sycamore and Oriental planetree. Widely planted in London and major European cities due to its tolerance for urban pollution, it spread to America where it is commonly found in locations such as Brooklyn, New York and San Francisco, California. The tree grows as a single-trunk to 120 feet tall with horizontal branching and a rounded habit, making it a signature ornamental feature. Its brown bark exfoliates in irregular pieces, giving way to creamy white inner bark. The large 3-5 lobed medium to dark green leaves have coarse marginal teeth which turn to an undistinguished yellow-brown in fall. The fruiting balls appear in pairs and consist of numerous densely-packed tiny seed-like fruits which disintegrate as fall progresses, helping spread seeds with the wind. If you're looking for a striking tree with immense beauty, the Platanus acerifolia London Plane Tree is undoubtedly a must-have.