London Plane Tree | The Tree & Hedge Company

Soils

London plane are very adaptable to soil types and will even grow on dry soils. They prefer deep, moist well drained soils.

Location

Not a demanding tree, sun, or even light shade. Tolerates heat, likes warmth, frost hardy tolerant of urban pollution and wind resistant.

Annual Growth Rate

London plane trees will grow 50-70cm per annum in the first 15-20 years

pH TOLERANCE

London plane can grow in soil with neutral to strongly alkaline pH avoid acidic soils

Root Structure

Cordate root system, main roots are deep but shallow fibrous roots spread and can lift paving. Tolerates flooding.

Potential

London plane trees are impressive when left to grow naturally, but can be hard pruned to shape like umbrella, table tops or round crowns.

Annual Pruning

London plane trees can be left alone or topiarised

Characteristics

London plane trees have all-year round appeal. Bark shades, ornamental fruit throughout winter and autumn leaf colour

London plane trees take well to cutting and can be planted in restrictive spaces and easily kept pruned to fit. If left to grow naturally, the mature size of London plane trees is 20-30 metres tall and 15-25 metres wide.

Appealing colouration of bark with changing shades of light-brown, yellow-green and grey-green that breaks off in plates to reveal the younger yellowish and green bark underneath.

Leaves are attractive maple-like in shape, green and leathery. Autumn colour is green-yellow. Flowers are inconspicuous.

Impressive brown, ball shaped capsule fruits hang from the branches and remain on the tree until the following spring. These capsules usually hang in twos and are particularly attractive during the winter months.