London Plane Tree
Platanus x acerifolia · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Platanaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Street Tree / Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Common form (resembling 'Bloodgood' or 'Exclamation')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 5 through 9; highly adaptable to heat and urban microclimates.
About This Tree
A massive, fast-growing deciduous tree with a broadly open, rounded habit. It features a thick trunk and heavy, spreading branches. Noted for its signature exfoliating bark and maple-like leaves.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate, 6-10 inches wide; 3-5 triangular lobes with coarse teeth; medium to dark green in summer, turning yellow-brown in fall; palmate venation.
Bark Characteristics
Distinctive exfoliating bark that peels away in large irregular sheets to reveal a creamy, olive, and pale yellow camouflage-like inner bark; matures to a GHrey-brown scaly texture at the base.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Hybrid of P. occidentalis (North America) and P. orientalis (Europe/Asia); widely adapted to urban environments globally.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in April; seeds ripen in autumn and often persist through winter; enters dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; needs moderate watering during establishment but is highly drought-tolerant once mature; adaptable to various soil pH and moisture levels.
Mature Size
Height: 70-100 feet; Spread: 65-80 feet; Growth rate: Fast (2+ feet per year); Lifespan: 150-400 years.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to urban pollution, soil compaction, and heavy pruning (pollarding); provides high-quality timber known as 'Lacewood'; highly resistant to Anthracnose compared to American Sycamore.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for large birds; seeds are consumed by squirrels, finches, and goldfinches; serves as a host plant for several moth species including the Sycamore Tussock Moth.