London Plane

A vigorous, upright deciduous tree with distinctively flaking, brown, grey and cream bark resembling army camouflage, Platanus acerifolia ( also called Platanus x Hispanica ) has bright green lobed leaves and bears curious clusters of persistent round fruits in autumn and winter. Its true origins were long debated, though it is now agreed it is a natural hybrid between Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis. The London Plane received its common name when it was by far the most popular tree planted in the City of London in the 1800s, because of its tolerance of atmospheric pollution and root compaction. Many of these Plane trees are still thriving and are kept to a reasonable size by pollarding them regularly.

Soil: Prefers well-drained
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Autumn foliage, Spring-Summer as a shade tree
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: 60ft (18m) Spread: 40ft (12m) in approx 40 years