London Plane (Platanus × acerifolia) is a magnificent deciduous tree, a hybrid between Platanus orientalis and P. occidentalis. It is an extremely popular ornamental tree grown in its millions all over the world, especially in London for over 200 years. Its large leaves up to 25 cm across are in three to five lobes. Fruit hang in spikey clusters. After leaf fall in autumn, the attractive flaked bark in grey and tan is most visible.
• Uses: ornamental tree, shade tree, specimen tree, avenue tree, street tree
• Size: to 24 metres high depending on conditions
• Tolerances: smoke and street pollution
• Features: attractive features all year round, fast growing, very popular tough tree especially for city conditions, copes with heavy pruning and pollarding
Reference Lord, E. E. and Willis, J. H. (1982) Shrubs and trees for Australian gardens (5th End). Lothian Publishing Company, Melbourne.
Reference Macoboy, S. (1979) What tree is that? Ure Smith, Sydney.
