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London Planetree

Platanus x acerifolia

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London Planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) at Everett's Gardens

London Planetree

London Planetree

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

London Planetree (Platanus x acerifolia) at Everett's Gardens

London Planetree bark

London Planetree bark

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  90 feet

Spread:  70 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  5

Description:

A popular, durable and attractive shade and street tree, very tolerant of adverse conditions and road salt; interestingly shaped leaves and beautiful white and brown mottled bark; best in larger landscapes; somewhat susceptible to disease

Ornamental Features

London Planetree has rich green deciduous foliage on a tree with a pyramidal habit of growth. The large serrated lobed leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall. The mottled silver bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

London Planetree is a deciduous tree with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting squirrels to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Messy
  • Disease

London Planetree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Shade

Planting & Growing

London Planetree will grow to be about 90 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 70 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Shade 
Applications
Bark  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features