London Plane
Latin name: Platanus x acerifolia
Etymology: The genus name originates from the Greek word for ‘plane tree’, platanos, while the species name is a combination of the Latin words acer and folia, meaning ‘maple-like leaves’.
Family: Platanaceae (Planes)
Origin: Hybrid of American sycamore (native to eastern US) and Oriental plane (native to eastern Europe and western Asia)
Native habitats: This tree is not typically found in the wild but has traditionally been planted in parklands and by roadsides, particularly in London. London plane-trees line the streets of Europe, but are also common in Princeton. They are a hybrid of our American sycamore and the Oriental planetree. Native sycamores, which tend to have whiter bark and less mottling on the lower trunk, are often seen growing wild in stream valleys. The round fruit are singular on sycamores, paired on plane-trees.
Description: London Planes have a height of between 50-130 feet and a diameter of 3-8 feet. Leaves are large and shaped like a maple leaf with 3 to 5 rounded lobes. Margins may be entire or with coarse teeth. They measure 6 to 7 inches long and 8 to 10 inches wide. The twigs are grayish-green and have a zigzag pattern. The light-brown bark is distinctive as it exfoliates in irregular pieces revealing creamy olive inner bark. Flowers are insignificant and yellowish or reddish and appear in spring. Fruits are small and hairy in tight, green to brown, long-stalked hanging balls that measure around 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. There are usually two fruiting balls per stalk that may remain on the tree through winter.
Similar species: Native sycamores tend to have whiter bark and less mottling on the lower trunk, and have singular rather than paired fruit.
Wildlife value: They have limited wildlife value but seedballs are eaten by birds and squirrels.
Uses: In the past, London Plane wood was used to make ox carts and wheels. Currently, it is used for furniture, flooring, and veneer. The tree is resilient to urban pollution and is a popular shadetree.
