London Plane Tree | Plant Profile

London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia) are common European city trees that are noted for their exfoliating bark and large trunks. The outer layer of bark is a standard brown color that peels away in strips to reveal a creamy-white, smooth bark. The lobed leaves are a medium green color that turn yellow/brown in fall.

London Plane Tree prefers average fertility soils in full sun. The moisture content can be medium to wet, but should be well drained.

London Plane Tree are beautiful additions to large landscapes or woodland areas, particularly in winter. Their tolerance of wet soils make them perfect for low or wet spots. The trunk and roots are too large to be planted near structures or pavement. The peeling bark can be unnattractive after exfoliation and should be removed if not in a naturalized setting, which make these tree high maintenance when installed in a yard.