London Plane (Platanus acerifolia)
The London Plane (Platanus acerifolia) is a large, deciduous tree growing to 20–35 m (exceptionally over 40 m) tall, with a trunk up to 3 m or more in circumference.
Useful info about London Plane trees
| Latin Name | Platanus acerifolia |
| Type | Deciduous (loses its leaves in winter) |
| Height | Can grow up to 20+ metres (65+ feet) |
| Spread | The branches can spread out to 15 - 20 metres (50 - 65 feet) |
| Soil Types Preferred | Chalk, Clay, Limestone, Loam, Sand |
| Locations Suitable | Gardens, Parks |
| Flowers | - |
| Fruit | Seeds in autumn / winter |
Similar Species
Description
The bark is usually pale grey-green, smooth and exfoliating, or buff-brown and not exfoliating. The leaves are thick and stiff-textured, broad, palmately lobed, superficially maple-like, the leaf blade 10–20 cm long and 12–25 cm broad.
The young leaves in spring are coated with minute, fine, stiff hairs at first, but these wear off and by late summer the leaves are hairless or nearly so.
The flowers are borne in one to three (most often two) dense spherical inflorescences on a pendulous stem, with male and female flowers on separate stems.
The fruit matures in about 6 months, to 2–3 cm diameter, and comprises a dense spherical cluster of achenes with numerous stiff hairs which aid wind dispersal; the cluster breaks up slowly over the winter to release the numerous 2–3 mm seeds.
Uses
London Plane trees are often planted in urban areas to combat air pollution.
DISCLAIMER
Any uses for trees or tree extracts, whether edible or medicinal, have not been tried or tested by EFORESTS.
Please take caution and seek proper advice before attempting any recipes or medicinal extracts from any of the trees listed on our site.
Culture and Symbolism
In Greek mythology, the plane tree is a symbol of regeneration.
Click here to dedicate a tree to be planted in a woodland in England, Scotland or Wales
Want to have a tree gift delivered to your door or to send a tree gift to someone special? We have a wide variety of UK native trees for sale in our tree shop.
