London Plane

Platanus Acerifolia Hedging

The London Plane tree, Platanus acerifolia, is a vigorous, spreading, large tree that responds very well to pollarding and regular pruning. It loves heavy clay. Suitable for parks and big gardens.

Unfortunately London Planes use now subject to a movement restriction order in the UK which effectively removes them from sale indefinitely. This page, for the time being, is therefore for information only. One of the best substitutes, if you are looking for a stately, large leaved tree that can cope with heavy clay and air pollution is the Sycamore which produces a magnificent specimen tree if given enough room.

It can be grown as a screening tree up to about 35 metres high. It is a good, tall windbreak tree.
The plants on this page are young saplings. London Plane saplings are only delivered bareroot, during winter (Nov-March).

All of our young trees and shrubs are measured by their height in centimetres above the ground (the roots aren't measured). See our full range of hedging options.

General description of Platanus acerifolia plants:
The London Plane, Platanus acerifolia, is a big, stately tree with maple-shaped leaves. As it gets older, the mottled bark flakes away in irregular plates, creating a patchwork of green, white and cream. It is widely planted beside the road and in industrial zones. It is fast-growing and can be pruned hard on a regular basis; street trees are usually pollarded to restrict their size. Finches like eating the seeds.

History & uses of Platanus acerifolia:
You may see the London Plane listed as either Platanus acerifolia or Platanus hispanica. London Plane trees aren't from London or even Britain, they are probably a hybrid of an American Plane variety and the Oriental Plane, which arose naturally from imported trees in Spain during the 1600's.