London Planetree

Platanus x acerifolia

Dense canopy great for reducing your energy bills or tree based energy conservation
Medium to Fast Growing
Brown flaking bark reveal cream color
Grows to 75' to 100' with 80' spread
Zones 5 to 9
Can't Ship To: AK, AZ, HI

Click icons for more information Show All Hide All

Zones 5 - 9

Hardiness Zones: Zones 5 - 9
The London Planetree can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

shade tree

Type of tree:
The London Planetree falls into the following type(s): Shade Trees

75' - 100' High

Mature Height:
The London Planetree grows to be 75' - 100' feet in height.

80' Spread

Mature Spread:
The London Planetree has a spread of about 80' at full maturity.

Medium Growth

Growth Rate:
This tree grows at a medium growth rate. [More about this.]

Multiple Exposures

Sun:
This planetree does well in full sun, partial shade.

Various Soils

Soil:
The London Planetree grows in acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils.

Pyramidal Shape

Shape:
This planetree has pyramidal, rounded shape.

More Info

Attributes:
The London Planetree is a widely planted street tree, and for good reason. Its attributes were discovered in London where the new hybrid first appeared around 1645. It was found to thrive in the sooty air and provide wonderful shade. Its ability to withstand air pollution, drought and other adversities assures its popularity as an urban tree. Its strong limbs also help make it a good choice where site conditions allow for its large size.

Wildlife Value:
The pendant seed balls are used by purple finches, goldfinches and squirrels.

History/Lore/Use:
The scientific name for this tree comes from the Greek platys, which means "ample" or "broad," and can be applied to either its individual leaves or its spreading crown. Acerifolia clearly refers to the leaves which are maple-like in appearance. The London Planetree is believed to have resulted in a cross between the Oriental Planetree from Asia - southeastern Europe and our American Sycamore.

Moisture:
Moist well-drained soil is best for this tree.

Leaves:
The leaves resemble some Maples, but are alternate on the stem whereas Maples are opposite. They are large, about 6 to 7 inches long and up to 10 inches wide. Sparingly toothed along the edges.

Flower Color:
The flower is deep red and is not noteworthy in appearance.

Bloom Time:
Flowers bloom in April..

Fruit Description:
Round balls about 1 inch in diameter and made up of tightly compacted seeds. Usually 2 per stalk, but sometimes 3 or single. Multiple seed balls distinguish the London Planetree from the American Sycamore, which is characterized by only one seed ball.

Red-brown scales flake to show cream-colored inner bark. Large distinctive leaves with lighter undersides. Fast growing, resistant to anthracnose. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. Grows to 75' to 100', 80' spread. (zones 5-9)

		Spring Shipping		Fall Shipping
Color	Zone	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline	Approximate Ship Dates	Order Deadline
	2	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	3	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	4	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	5	04/15–05/30	05/14	11/01–11/26	11/12
	6	03/19–05/12	05/07	11/01–12/03	11/19
	7	03/11–05/07	04/30	11/05–12/10	11/26
	8	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	9	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26
	10	02/26–04/30	04/23	11/05–12/10	11/26

We're sorry, but this tree can't be shipped to AK, AZ, HI , territories, or countries outside the U.S. This is due to the agricultural laws within these locations.

When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.

Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.

The benefits of bare-root trees

Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.

	Standard		Dwarf
	Mature Height	Space Needed	Mature Height	Space Needed
Apple	20' - 25'	35' x 35'	10' **	10' x 10' ++
Peach	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
Sweet Cherry	30'	20' x 25'	12' - 15'	10' x 10'
Sour Cherry	20'	20' x 20'	8'	10' x 10'
Pear	20'	20' x 20'	12' - 15'	12' x 12'
Apricot	20'	20' x 20'
Plum	20'	20' x 20'	8' - 10'	10' x 10'
			** semi-dwarf 12' - 15' ++ semi-dwarf 12' x 12'

Natural Root and Containerized Trees

Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.

There are a number of advantages to natural root trees:

They are very affordable.
Their roots re-establish themselves well once they are planted in their permanent location.
They are easy to plant at the correct depth.

The Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell University has an interesting article about the benefits of planting natural root trees. Look for the PDF entitled Creating the Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method

Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.

If you have questions, please call (888) 448-7337 or E-mail Member Services.

We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.

10 Free Trees

Tree Nursery