London Plane - Platanus acerifolia
The London Plane is a large, fast growing, spreading deciduous tree. It is in flower in May and, depending on location and conditions, the seeds ripen from October to March. The flowers are monoecious - either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same tree. The lovely stature of the Plane and its attractive bark, which peels off in large plates revealing patches of creamy white and green have also made it a popular choice for many large gardens and country parks.
London Plane trees prefers heavier soils and do well in really awful stuff like london clay. They are tough trees and can take strong winds - good for shelterbelts, but they are not happy close to the sea. Famously plane trees almost thrive on atmospheric pollution - which is why they were so widely planted in London and they survive well in dry conditions.
London Plane trees are hardy in most areas in Britain, but they do not thrive in the North, as the summers are not long or hot enough. In cities and towns the tree is often pruned, but where it is allowed to grow freely, it will make a magnificent round crown with large twisting branches.
To 30m.
If you are unclear about the way standard trees are sized, take a look at our Guide to Standard Tree Sizing or you can go back to our main standard trees page.
0 items in 
