The Urban Endurer: Platanus × acerifolia
This hybrid tree also known as the London Planetree can withstand the smoke and grime of urban environments
Plant specimen (2018-07-18) by Bethany Dell'Agnello and Frederick County Forestry BoardBRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia
Platanus acerifolia is also known as the London Planetree. Although the exact details of its origin have been lost over time, it is said that the name stems from the tree's ability to withstand the pollution, smoke, and grime present in the city of London.
Plant specimen (1988-05-07) by Charles T. BrysonBRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia is a hybrid of the North American Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore) and the Eurasian Platanus orientalis (Oriental Planetree). Both species were introduced to Britain, where the hybrid was first observed.
Plant specimen (2007-06-18) by Bruce MarlinBRIT Collections
Platanus occidentalis
Platanus occidentalis, or American sycamore, is a large deciduous tree native to North America. Known for its mottled, peeling bark revealing a smooth, white surface, it thrives in wetlands and urban areas. It can grow over 100 ft tall and produces round, spiky seed balls.
Plant specimen (2012-09-19) by VinayarajBRIT Collections
Platanus orientalis
Platanus orientalis, or Oriental plane tree, is a large deciduous tree native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. Known for its broad canopy, deeply lobed leaves, & mottled, flaky bark, it can grow up to 100 ft tall and thrives in warm, temperate climates near water sources.
It is believed that some cultivated varieties of the London Plane tree are superior to their parent species due to increased resistance to anthracnose (a common fungal disease) and mildew.
Plant specimen (2015-05-25) by Kristina BernhardtBRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia are deciduous trees that can grow up to between 70-85 feet tall and have between a 50-70 feet spread.
Plant specimen (2007-06-17) by Liné1BRIT Collections
The London Plane tree's foliage shows a bright green, 5-pronged distinctive leaf. These large leaves can be up to 7 inches in length and 10 inches wide, and they turn yellow in autumn before falling.
Plant specimen (2007-06-17) by Liné1BRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia trees have aggregate fruits roughly between 0.5-1 inch in length, formed from flowers in a ball-shape arrangement.
Plant specimen (2016-07-20) by Plant Image LibraryBRIT Collections
These fruit contain the tree's seeds and are frequently eaten by purple finches, goldfinches, and squirrels.
Plant specimen (2017-08-22) by SynezisBRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia has a unique, patchy, peeling bark that can be seen in the image below. The outer gray, reddish-brown bark flakes off to reveal an olive-green, white, and cream-colored inner bark. The peeling bark is the debatably the tree's most attractive ornamental feature
Some horticulturists consider the Platanus acerifolia to be somewhat unfavorable and messy because its leaves, twigs, fruit fall and bark shedding.
Although Platanus acerifolia can tolerate urban conditions well, it is still susceptible to canker stain, bacterial leaf scorch, and lace bugs.
Platanus acerifolia contains allergenic pollen that may result in respiratory allergies for some individuals.
The London Plane tree can be found in various city parkways, residential areas, medians, large parking lot islands, and parks. They can be expected to grow in Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9 in the United States.
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Although these trees can be seen throughout many urban areas, some tree managers refrain from using them specifically as street trees due to their size. The London Plane tree Playground in Queens, New York was named after this tree species, which is the most common street tree in New York City.
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The world's largest London Plane tree
Located within Jeannette C. Hayner Park on the southwest side of Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, WA, USA. The tree is 150 feet tall and is around a century old. To highlight the London Plane tree, the park features tree protection measures, functional benches, fences, and walkways, and additional landscaping.
Plant specimen (2015-05-25) by Kristina BernhardtBRIT Collections
Platanus acerifolia is resistant to anthracnose...
Although not immune. The trees can also withstand various forms of pollution that are frequent throughout urban conditions. Platanus acerifolia can tolerate alkaline soil, clay soil, dry sites, occasional drought, occasional flooding, poor drainage, and wet sites.
Studies have shown that Platanus acerifolia is effective at the capture of particulate matter (PM) on its leaf surfaces. Atmospheric PM consists of hazardous substances and matter that can be detrimental to resident health. The prevalence of this tree species within cities makes it an ideal candidate for studying PM in urban environments, as promising in the control of PM pollution. Additionally, London Plane trees tend to live longer than many other shade trees in similar urban settings.
The London Plane tree's tolerance and its potential to improve air quality makes it an optimal addition to many urban environments.
Arbor Day Foundation, (2022). London planetree: Platanus x acerifolia. Arbor Day Foundation. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=904
Gilman, E.F., Watson, D.G., (1994). Platanus x acerifolia 'bloodgood': 'Bloodgood' London planetree. Forest Service Department of Agriculture. https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/plaacea.pdf
Janoski, J., Yiesla, S., (2022). London planetree. The Morton Arboretum. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/london-planetree/#overview
Li, Y., Wang, S., Chen, Q., (2019). Potential of thirteen urban greening plants to capture particulate matter on leaf surfaces across three levels of ambient atmospheric pollution. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(3), 402. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030402
Vrinceanu, D., Berghi, O. N., Cergan, R., Dumitru, M., Ciuluvica, R. C., Giurcaneanu, C., & Neagos, A. (2021). Urban allergy review: Allergic rhinitis and asthma with plane tree sensitization (Review). Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 21(3), 275. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9706
Walla Walla Public Schools, (2018). Massive tree focal point of new park. Walla Walla Public Schools. https://www.wwps.org/news/spotlight/5001-magnificent-tree-focal-point-of-new-park
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