London Planetree Platanus x acerifolia

London plane tree is a hybrid cross of American sycamore and Oriental planetree. It is a large deciduous shade tree that is generally pyramidal when young and becomes open and spreads with age. It may grow to a height of 70 to 100 feet tall and 60 to 75 feet wide. The light brown outer bark exfoliates to reveal a creamy olive inner bark. The leaves are alternate, 3 to 5 lobed, medium to dark green, and may have coarse marginal teeth. The flowers bloom in clusters in the spring and are not particularly showy. The male flowers are yellow, and the female flowers are reddish. The female flowers produce a fuzzy, rounded, bristly fruit ball that ripens to brown in October. The fruits tend to persist through the winter. The tree is a member of the Platanaceae family.

It is believed that this hybrid was developed in the 1640s by an accidental cross of the Oriental plane and American Sycamore either in Spain or London. The hybrid was recognized and categorized in 1789 by a Scottish botanist, William Aiton. It subsequently became very popular in many European cities including London because of its urban pollution tolerance.

The genus name, Platanus, originates from the Greek word, platanos, which is the oriental plane tree. The epithet, acerifolia, means like the leaves of maple or Acer.

The London plane tree prefers full sun, rich medium to wet, well-drained soils. It tolerates urban pollution, clay soil, light shade, and deer. 

This hybrid may be difficult to distinguish from its parent, the American sycamore; however, the London plane tree features deeper sinuses in its leaves, and the fruiting balls are paired and not solitary.

It is widely used in urban areas as a street tree and will do well in large yards or parks as a shade tree. In the home landscape, this tree requires much maintenance because of the excess litter produced by the twigs, leaves, bark, and fruiting balls. The roots of the tree can invade sewer pipes and lift sidewalks.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Winter       Foliage:  Summer and Fall         Fruits:  Fall and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• 70 to 100 feet tree at maturity, pyramidal when young, and open and spreading with age
• light brown outer bark exfoliates and reveals creamy olive inner bark
• medium to dark green, large, sugar maple-shaped leaves, 3 to 5 lobes, triangular to ovate, rounded lobes
• insignificant flowers in the spring, yellowish male flower, reddish female flower
• female flower produces fruit ball, two per stalk, brown when ripens in the fall, each fruit ball is densely packed with seeds or achenes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally, this tree has no major pests or diseases.  Potential insects found on this tree include borers, scales, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, and mites.  It is susceptible to canker stain which can be fatal and sycamore anthracnose.  Cultivars, such as 'Columbia' and 'Liberty,' are more disease resistant. Canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew may also occur.

VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.