Woody > Platanus > Platanus x acerifolia > Platanus x acerifolia
Platanus x acerifolia
London Plane Tree
Origin: In 1680 London, England P. x acerfolia was identified as a natural hybrid of P. occidentalis and P. orientalis.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Drought, salt, and pollution tolerant as well as the ability to grow with a small root zone. It is no surprise that in 1920, 60% of the trees planted in London, England were P. x acerfolia. It still remains a popular street tree throughout Europe.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Platanaceae |
| Genus |
| Platanus |
| Species |
| x acerifolia |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23 C |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -10 F |
| Height |
| 25m |
| Spread |
| 20m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| The most common and widespread Plane Tree, P. x acerfolia has the best characteristics of both its parents. |
| Landscape |
| A great urban tree where crown space is available. It is tolerant of pollution, salt, and drought. |
| Cultivation |
| Easy to transplant and prefers moist, fertile soils in full sun. However, trees are adaptable. |
| Shape |
| In youth pyramidal and round, wide spreading as it matures. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Often confused with P. occidentalis, P. x acerfolia has paired fruits and leaf lobes that are roughly as long as they are wide. |
| Pests |
| Plane wilt (Ceratocytis platani).powdery mildew, American plum borer, sycamore lace bug, and anthracnose, although P. x acerfolia is more resistant then P. occidentalis. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth brown green scales flake off to show the creamy yellow inner bark. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Single scaled, 6-10 mm, shiny red brown buds that never appear at twig tips. |
| Leaf Description |
| Maple like, 3-5 shallowly lobed, 13-25 cm across, few large teeth, shiny green with pale underside. |
| Flower Description |
| Unisexual with flower clusters on separate branchlets that bloom in April. Male flowers are 7-10 mm, yellow green, and appear on second year wood. Female flowers are 10-14 mm, red, and form in spring with leaves on the tips of older twigs. |
| Fruit Description |
| Slender stalks, 8-16 cm, hang as double yellow-brown balls 2-3.5 cm. |
| Colour Description |
| Green leaves in the summer that turn yellow in the autumn with red buds and multi coloured bark, P. x acerfolia has interest year round. |
| Texture Description |
| Coarse texture with its wide spreading zigzag branches. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Heritage Trees in Elgin County have noted a specimen at Elmdale Cemetery on Elm St, St Thomas, Ontario, Canada. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
| Propagation |
| By hardwood cuttings in autumn, leafy softwood cuttings in spring, or seed; however seeds require light to germinate. |
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