London Plane Tree
Platanus x acerifolia · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Platanaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Street Tree / Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Common London Plane (variety potentially 'Bloodgood' or 'Exclamation' based on urban prevalence)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5 through 9; highly adaptable to temperate climates.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its massive trunk and high-spreading canopy. It features a broad-rounded form with thick, muscular branches and characteristic exfoliating bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with 3-5 distinct lobes, similar to maple leaves but with a different arrangement. Generally 6-10 inches wide, medium-to-dark green in summer, turning yellow-brown in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive exfoliating (peeling) bark that sheds in irregular patches to reveal a creamy white, olive, and pale yellow inner layer, creating a camouflage-like appearance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Hybrid origin (cross between Platanus occidentalis and Platanus orientalis); common across Europe and North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; inconspicuous flowers in spring; sets fruit (seed balls) by autumn; enters dormancy in late autumn with yellow-brown fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sunlight preferred; moderate water needs once established; highly tolerant of urban pollutants and various soil pH levels.
Mature Size
75-100 feet tall with a 60-80 foot spread; fast growth rate; can live several hundred years under ideal conditions.
Special Characteristics
Highly resistant to Anthracnose (compared to American Sycamore); excellent pollution and salt tolerance; prized for its ornamental 'camouflage' bark in winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for large birds like hawks and owls; seeds are consumed by some small mammals and finches; provides significant urban canopy cover for cooling.