Platanus acerifolia, London plane tree
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Platanus acerifolia

London plane tree

Platanaceae

Hybrid of garden origin (Europe, 17th century)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height60-80 feet (18-24 m)
Width50-70 feet (15-21 m)
Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Platanus x acerifolia is a large deciduous tree reaching 60-80 feet (18-24 m) tall with a spread of 50-70 feet (15-21 m), developing a broad, rounded to pyramidal crown with massive spreading limbs. This hybrid between Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) and Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane), first documented in the 17th century, is one of the most widely planted urban trees worldwide. Bark exfoliates in irregular patches, revealing a mosaic of cream, olive-green, and tan inner bark — the most recognizable identification feature. Leaves are alternate, simple, palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) wide, medium to dark green and leathery-textured. Foliage turns yellowish-brown in fall; color is not a significant ornamental feature. Inconspicuous monoecious flowers appear in April as pendulous, spherical heads. Fruit consists of bristly, spherical seed balls, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, borne singly or in pairs on pendulous stalks, persisting through winter and dispersing seeds with irritating hairs in spring. Growth rate is moderate to fast at 18-24 inches (46-61 cm) per year. Trees are long-lived, commonly reaching 200-400 years in urban settings. Anthracnose (Apiognomonia veneta) causes twig dieback and leaf distortion in cool, wet springs but is primarily cosmetic. Powdery mildew and lace bugs are occasional concerns. Leaf and seed ball litter is substantial. Surface roots can heave sidewalks and pavement.

Native Range

Platanus x acerifolia is a hybrid of garden origin, first documented in the late 17th century, possibly in Spain or England. Parent species are Platanus occidentalis, native to eastern North America, and Platanus orientalis, native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. The hybrid does not occur naturally in the wild.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a street tree, park tree, and shade tree in large spaces where its mature spread of 50-70 feet (15-21 m) can be accommodated. Tolerates heavy urban conditions including pollution, compacted soil, heat, and periodic flooding. Not suitable for small residential landscapes due to size, root spread, and substantial litter. Allow 30-40 feet (9-12 m) spacing from structures and pavement.

How to Identify

Identified by bark that exfoliates in irregular patches creating a mosaic of cream, olive-green, and tan. Leaves are palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) wide. Fruit is a bristly spherical seed ball, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, borne singly or in pairs on pendulous stalks. Distinguished from Platanus occidentalis by seed balls in pairs (vs. singly) and greater anthracnose resistance. Distinguished from maples by alternate (not opposite) leaf arrangement.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 80'
Width/Spread50' - 70'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~1 weeks
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Spring
Inconspicuous monoecious flowers appear in April, borne in pendulous spherical heads. Male and female flower heads are separate on the same tree. Bloom is not ornamentally significant. Fruit (bristly seed balls) develops through summer and persists through winter, dispersing seeds and irritating hairs in spring.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish (inconspicuous)

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsiltchalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once per week during the first two growing seasons. Established trees are drought-tolerant but maintain better canopy density with moderate moisture during extended dry periods. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Tolerates a wide range of soil types, pH levels, compacted soils, pollution, and periodic flooding. Anthracnose causes twig dieback and leaf distortion in cool, wet springs; trees typically recover by midsummer with new foliage. Select resistant cultivars such as 'Bloodgood' or 'Columbia' to reduce anthracnose severity. Provide adequate soil volume for root development — surface roots can heave sidewalks and pavement if planting space is restricted. Leaf and seed ball litter is substantial; plan for seasonal cleanup. Seed ball hairs can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February) while dormant. Thin the canopy every 3-5 years to reduce wind resistance and improve light penetration. Remove dead, damaged, crossing, and low-hanging branches. Tolerates heavy pruning and pollarding, a traditional European management technique that produces a dense head of regrowth on a shortened trunk structure. Avoid pruning during anthracnose-susceptible periods (cool, wet spring weather).

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic