Species London plane tree

London plane tree

Platanus acerifolia

The London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia) is a large, deciduous tree native to the UK and Europe. It can grow up to 40m tall and has a large, spreading crown. The trunk and branches are covered in distinctive grey and brown mottled bark. The leaves are diamond-shaped and dark green in colour. They offer considerable shade in the summertime, and provide a strong structure withstanding wind, snow, and pollution. It produces male and female catkins in the spring. It makes a great addition to any urban landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow (male) and red (female) Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The London plane tree is a hardy and long-lived species. In ideal conditions, regular watering is essential for optimal growth. Watering frequency will depend on the size of the tree and the climate in which it is planted. As a general rule, young London plane trees should be watered deeply once a week, while mature trees may need watering every 2 to 4 weeks. In regions with hot, dry weather, more frequent watering is recommended. When watering a London plane tree, be sure to soak the root zone thoroughly and avoid getting the trunk and leaves wet. On hot summer days, additional misting of the foliage may be beneficial.

sunlight

The London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia) grows best in full sun, which means it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, which provides the tree with the necessary energy to grow and create food. Additionally, plenty of sunlight will help the tree thrive in terms of its overall health and appearance. For best results, the London plane tree should receive full sun during the spring and summer seasons, when the days are longer. However, this species of tree can also tolerate some shade in the fall and winter months when the sun is lower in the sky and the days are shorter.

pruning

The London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia) should be pruned during the dormant season, typically between late fall and early spring when the tree is not actively growing. Pruning should be light, so no more than 10-15% of the healthy branches should be removed. Plan for an overall rounded shape, removing branches that are overly dense and eliminated crossing branches. It is also important to maintain a clearance of at least 3-4 feet away from buildings, sidewalks, and power lines. Older trees should have dead and declining branches removed to enhcance overall health and structure. To prevent damage to the tree, prune so that branch collars are left intact and no more than 1-quarter of the tree crown is removed at once.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Platanus acerifolia typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map