What is a London plane tree?
The London plane tree is a hybrid plant, a cross between the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and the Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis).
Why is the London plane tree bad for You?
Moreover, its massive size and messy growth habit from fallen leaves, twigs, bark, and fruit make the London plane unsuitable for all but the largest residential landscapes. The tree also can be an irritant for people with allergies.
Can you plant London Plane trees in the front yard?
Alternatively, you can plant varieties of London plane trees that are resistant to anthracnose. Small Trees for Landscaping Backyard, Front Yard, Small Spaces - With Pictures For Easy Identificati... Types of Willow Trees: Weeping Willows, Willow Shrubs, Dwarf Willows and More (With Pictures and Nam...
How do you take care of a London plane tree?
So, you will have to water the planetree regularly, especially during hot weather. Adding mulch around the root area can help keep the soil moist. When watering a London plane tree, always ensure you deeply water the entire root area. However, you should avoid watering too close to the trunk as this can encourage disease.
Is London plane a good tree?
Its ability to withstand air pollution, drought, and other adversities assures its popularity as an urban tree (hardiness zones 5-9). Strong limbs also help make the London planetree a good choice where site conditions allow for its large size.
Do London plane trees have invasive roots?
The London Plane can develop massive trunks with spreading crowns, and live for centuries. But its success has been part of its demise. Its roots are so tough and aggressive, that it can lift sidewalks and curbs, invade sewer pipes, and crack building foundations.
How often do London plane trees shed their bark?
Although the mottled look left behind may be of concern to you, this bark “exfoliation” is a year-round, normal, spontaneous occurrence and is beneficial to the health of these long-lasting, resilient trees.
Do London plane trees lose their leaves?
In fall, when other deciduous trees are dropping their leaves, the London plane leaves die, but persist on the branches throughout the entire winter. Many leaves may drop on a windy winter day, but many seem to hang on for months.
Do London plane trees need a lot of water?
London plane trees need water about two times per month depending upon weather conditions. Turn off the water when it starts to run off. Let the water soak in and start watering again. Repeat this cycle until the soil is wet down to 18-24 inches (45.5-61 cm.).
How quickly do London plane trees grow?
13–24" per yearGrowth Rate This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
What is the difference between London plane tree and sycamore?
London plane-tree may be distinguished from the closely related American sycamore by the number of fruit clusters, and the bark. London plane-tree typically bears its round fruit clusters in groups of 2, while American sycamore usually bears solitary fruit clusters.
How long do plane trees live?
They are leathery and thick, with five triangular lobes. This species can live for several hundred years.
Does a London plane tree lose its bark?
Commonly used in landscaping and along busy city streets, one specific variety of tree, the London plane tree, is known for its habit of drastic bark shed. In fact, the London plane tree, as well as others such as the sycamore and some types of maples, will shed their bark at varying rates.
Why are they called plane trees?
Why is it called a plane tree? The genus name Platanus, is the classical name for the plane tree, from the Greek platus, meaning broad, in reference to the wide leaves.
Do plane trees lose leaves in summer?
Within days of a heatwave, extensive leaf shedding can occur (Filewod and Thomas, 2014) reducing micrometeorological condition and pedestrian thermal comfort benefits for the rest of summer.
How can you tell London plane tree?
The London plane tree is identified by its distinctive shape, with a broad trunk topped by a large crown of branches. The London plane has dark green leaves like maple leaves, consisting of several pointed lobes.
Do plane trees shed their bark?
What sets plane trees (and some other species like birch) apart is the rapid rate at which fresh bark grows beneath the outer layer. This means that trees can quickly shed their outer layer of bark, which is laden with pollutants.
Why are there so many plane trees in London?
It was planted en masse at a time when London was black with soot and smoke from the Industrial Revolution and when population expansion forced greater urban planning. Taking a cue from the plane-lined boulevards built in Paris from around 1850, the tree flourished in London due to its hardy characteristics.
How do you identify a London plane tree?
The London plane tree is identified by its distinctive shape, with a broad trunk topped by a large crown of branches. The London plane has dark green leaves like maple leaves, consisting of several pointed lobes.
Do plane trees cause hay fever?
So do plane trees cause hay fever symptoms? The answer is a guarded yes – particularly in September, among people with allergies. It's also likely but unproven that plane tree leaf trichomes cause a range of irritant effects in a wider population and for longer.
Where is the London Plane tree?
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County. The London plane ( Plantanus x acerifolia) is a large landscape tree that is widely planted in landscapes, parks, and streets in north central Arizona. It is well-adapted for planting in temperate climates worldwide from Johannesburg, South Africa to Sydney, Australia.
What is the difference between a London plane and a sycamore tree?
London planes also have interesting spherical fruits which when broken apart hold hundreds of fluffy seeds. Sycamore tre es have very interesting and attractive , mottled bar k. On the older, lower portions of the tree, it may be darker, rough and furrowed.
Why do my twigs die back?
As the new leaves emerge in spring, anthracnose causes them to have dead areas along the leaf veins. As the symptoms progress, twig ends often die back 8 to 10 inches. After years of chronic infections, cankers may form on the branches and trunk.
How tall is a London plane?
occidentalis) and the Oriental plane ( P. orientalis ). At maturity, the London plane is often 60-80 feet wide and can be 50-60 feet tall.
Do London plane trees need full sun?
They have also been known to lift sidewalks and patio slabs when planted too close. London plane trees need full sun and are hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5 (lows of -20 degrees F). These trees do tolerate the alkaline soils found across Arizona and require regular irrigation.
Do London plane trees drop leaves?
London plane trees tend to be a somewhat messy, seemingly dropping something every day of the year. In fall, when other deciduous trees are dropping their leaves, the London plane leaves die, but persist on the branches throughout the entire winter. Many leaves may drop on a windy winter day, but many seem to hang on for months.
Why is the London plane tree used as a street tree?
Not only is the tree common in the US, but Australia uses the London plane as a street tree because of its tolerance to warm weather and urban pollution 6.
How tall is a London plane tree?
Habit: The London plane tree is a large tree that ranges in height from 70 to 100 feet (21 to 30 meters) and in width from 65 to 80 feet (20 to 24 meters) when mature 1. The London plane grows into a pyramidal shape in youth, but later rounds and becomes broad with age. The tree grows at a medium to high rate, with an increase ...
What is the bark of a London plane?
Twigs & Bark: As can be seen in Figure 3, the London Plane has a unique style of bark that has gray and brown shedding sheets that reveals a pale yellow inner bark. The tree is often mistaken for the American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis) since both have a smooth gray bark with a peeling tan trunk underneath. This adaptation is the bark’s lack of elasticity because the bark is unable to grow and expand as rapidly as the tree grows. This reveling bark is quite useful because it helps to eliminate parasites and harmful insects 4. The twigs of the tree are in a moderate zig-zag pattern that can be seen below by Figure 4. They are a green color that turns into a dull brown with maturity. The axillary and terminal buds, which are covered by leaves, are a red hue that is covered with a single cap scale 5.
What zone does London Planetree grow in?
In the United States, the London Planetree is expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 5 to 9 as can be seen in Figure 7.
Where did the London Planetree originate?
Native range: The London Planetree is of hybrid origin that was developed during the 16th century, through an accidental cross of Oriental plane ( Platanus orientalis) 4 and American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis) 4 in either Spain or London. Scottish botanist William Aiton recognized the hybrid and categorized the tree in 1789.
What color are the leaves of the London Planetree?
In the fall, these leaves become a yellow or brown color. Figure 2. London Planetree leaf. Image credit: Evelyn Fitzgerald 2011 12.
What insects are damaging the leaves of London Plane?
Figure 7. Hardiness Zones that the London Plane is expected to grow in the USA 8. Ecological Notes: The sycamore lace bug and the American plum borer are common insects damaging the trees. The lace bug feeds on the undersides of the leaves, resulting in early leaf loss during the summer instead of the fall.
How tall is a London plane tree?
The large tree grows between 66 and 100 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall with a large, rounded crown up to 75 ft. (22 m) wide.
What is the bark pattern of a London plane tree?
The bark on a London plane tree makes it easily recognizable in a landscape. The bark on a London plane tree has a distinctive gray mottled appearance that develops when it exfoliates, revealing white, brown, and creamy yellow colors. This distinctive camouflage pattern makes it easy to identify a London plane tree from a distance.
What bugs eat planetree leaves?
Sycamore lace bugs (Corythucha ciliata): These small white sap-sucking insects feed on the underside of planetree leaves. The effects of these pests include bleached leaves or foliage with stippled patterning.
What does a London Planetree look like?
The London planetree looks like a regular sycamore tree. The palmately lobed leaves look like sycamore or maple leaves, and small drooping clusters of round flowers bloom in spring. However, common sycamore trees are rarely planted in dense urban environments.
Why are my London plane trees turning brown?
A common fungal disease affecting London plane trees is sycamore anthracnose. The condition can cause leaf spot, and brown blotches will appear on leaves. If the infection is severe, leaves may drop prematurely in spring. Brown leaf spots can also cause mature leaves to fall.
Why does the planetree tree shed?
The bark of the planetree sheds because of the tree’s rapid growth. The thin bark doesn’t expand as quickly as the tree, and large flakes of bark drop off every year. However, this characteristic growth pattern promotes the tree’s health. When shedding the brownish-gray bark, the tree gets rid of pests, harmful parasites, and pollutants.
Which leaves have more pronounced jagged lobes?
London plane tree leaves have more pronounced jagged lobes than a sycamore tree. Comparing pictures of sycamore leaves and planetree leaves shows the center lobe of London plane trees is more extended than wide. In comparison, the central lobe on a sycamore leaf is somewhat stumpy.
Why is London plane tree so popular?
London plane tree is trendy not because it is all that excellent, but because it is so reliable. It is actually a rather trashy and messy tree that is susceptible to anthracnose and powdery mildew. Landscapers and gardeners like it so much only because the various maples, oaks and other better trees are more sensitive to soil saturation ...
Do trees adapt to pavement?
However, trees cannot get away with this habit for long; their shallow and buttressing roots eventually expand to displace pavement, other plants and anything else that gets in their way. Mature and old trees do not adapt.
What is the bark pattern of a London plane tree?from leafyplace.com
The bark on a London plane tree makes it easily recognizable in a landscape. The bark on a London plane tree has a distinctive gray mottled appearance that develops when it exfoliates, revealing white, brown, and creamy yellow colors. This distinctive camouflage pattern makes it easy to identify a London plane tree from a distance.
How to propagate London plane tree?from leafyplace.com
Taking stem cuttings is the most effective way to propagate a London plane tree. Take a few 10” (25 cm) hardwoods cuttings of the current season’s growth just after the leaves drop. Look for growth eyes or leaf buds on the stem. Then strip some of the bark from the cut end.
What bugs eat planetree leaves?from leafyplace.com
Sycamore lace bugs (Corythucha ciliata): These small white sap-sucking insects feed on the underside of planetree leaves. The effects of these pests include bleached leaves or foliage with stippled patterning.
Why are my London plane trees turning brown?from leafyplace.com
A common fungal disease affecting London plane trees is sycamore anthracnose. The condition can cause leaf spot, and brown blotches will appear on leaves. If the infection is severe, leaves may drop prematurely in spring. Brown leaf spots can also cause mature leaves to fall.
What causes a sycamore tree to turn brown?from leafyplace.com
Sycamore scale insects (Stomacoccus platani): These destructive pests can cause the most damage to Platanus trees. Infested leaves look distorted and brown spots appear. Then, the leaves gradually turn brown and die.
Why does the planetree tree shed?from leafyplace.com
The bark of the planetree sheds because of the tree’s rapid growth. The thin bark doesn’t expand as quickly as the tree, and large flakes of bark drop off every year. However, this characteristic growth pattern promotes the tree’s health. When shedding the brownish-gray bark, the tree gets rid of pests, harmful parasites, and pollutants.
What is the origin of the London Planetree?from arborday.org
History/Lore. The London planetree is believed to have resulted from a cross between the Oriental planetree and the American sycamore. While the exact details of the tree’s origin have been lost over time, it was discovered that this hybrid could tolerate the smoke and grime of London.
Why are London plane trees so popular?
The first hybrid appeared in London in around 1645 where it quickly became a popular urban specimen due to its ability to acclimate and even thrive in the city’s sooty air. Resilient the London plane tree may be, it is not without its share of problems, specifically disease.
What is the London plane tree?
The London plane tree is in the genus Platanus and is thought to be a hybrid of the Oriental plane ( P. orientalis) and the American sycamore ( P. occidentalis ). Diseases of London plane trees are similar to those that plague these relatives. Plane tree diseases are primarily fungal, although the tree may be afflicted with other London plane tree ...
What disease is most common in plane trees?
Another less deadly disease of plane trees is anthracnose. It is more severe in American sycamores than in plane trees. It exhibits as slow spring growth and is associated with wet spring weather.
What does it mean when a tree has a bluish black trunk?
Fresh wounds caused by pruning or other work open the tree up for infection. Symptoms appear as sparse foliage, small leaves and elongated cankers on the larger branches and trunk of the tree. Underneath the cankers, the wood is bluish-black or reddish-brown.
Is a plane tree fungal?
Plane tree diseases are primarily fungal, although the tree may be afflicted with other London plane tree problems. Read on to learn about plane tree diseases and how to treat a sick plane tree.
Is the London plane tree resilient?
Resilient the London plane tree may be, it is not without its share of problems, specifically disease. As mentioned, plane tree diseases tend to mirror those that afflict its close relative the Oriental plane and American sycamore tree.
What zone does London Planetree grow in?
The london planetree can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 5–9. View Map
What is the origin of the London Planetree?
History/Lore. The London planetree is believed to have resulted from a cross between the Oriental planetree and the American sycamore. While the exact details of the tree’s origin have been lost over time, it was discovered that this hybrid could tolerate the smoke and grime of London.
Meet the American Sycamore
What’s the largest hardwood tree in North America? If you guessed the American sycamore, you are correct. It shoots up to 140 feet (42.6 m.) tall with exfoliating bark, giving the tree a camouflaged look. The outer bark is light brown, and inner is back white, green or yellow. This should help with sycamore tree identification.
Meet the London Plane Tree
Since the sycamore is in the plane tree family, the London plane tree and the sycamore are relatives. In fact, the sycamore is one of the “parents” of the London plane tree, a hybrid resulting in a cross between the sycamore and the oriental plant tree ( Platanus orientalis ).
London Plane Tree vs. Sycamore
Although American sycamore and London plane tree look very similar, this is to be expected given their familial relationship. If it is essential to identify a tree in your yard as one or the other, here are some facts you should use to make your bet.
What is the exclamation of London Planetree?
The Exclamation!™ London Planetree is a hybrid between the American Sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis) and Oriental Sycamore ( Platanus orientalis ). It has superior resistance to Anthracnose and Frost Cracking compared to the pure American Sycamore. Its exfoliating bark begins with shades of green to tan to brown, which peel away to reveal a cream-white colored bark with age.
What to use with London Planetree?
The Exclamation!™ London Planetree should be paired with low plantings that don’t distract from the exfoliating bark. Consider using Gro-Lo Sumac to provide a different texture and fall color at the base, or use small stature Hostas or Coralbells if you prefer perennials.
What is an exclamation tree?
A densely branched, upright pyramidal tree when young , the Exclamation!™ London Planetree develops its attractive exfoliating bark when young. Tolerant of the toughest conditions and resistant to disease, the Exclamation!™ London Planetree is a terrific choice for a fast growing street tree. A Chicagoland Grows® introduction.
Do globoses have seed heads?
Fruit Notes: Globose seed heads paired in long stalks, fewer than the species. Fruits shatter in winter.
Does the London Planetree produce fruit?
The Exclamation!™ London Planetree produces less fruit than the species, but birds, pollinators, and small mammals will benefit from the tree as a minor food source and a good source of cover.
