London Plane Tree - Platanus x hispanica | 🇬🇧 UK Grown 40-60cm (Tall 9cm Pot)











London Plane Tree - Platanus x hispanica | 🇬🇧 UK Grown 40-60cm (Tall 9cm Pot)
The London Plane – Platanus x hispanica, is a majestic hybrid tree renowned for its resilience in urban environments. This large deciduous tree can grow to impressive heights of 20-35 metres, developing a broad, domed crown that provides expansive shade. One of its most distinctive features is its bark, which peels away in large patches to reveal a mottled pattern of grey, green, and cream, giving the trunk a camouflage-like appearance. The large, maple-like leaves are palmate with 3-5 lobes, turning a warm yellow-brown in autumn before falling. In spring, the tree produces small, spherical flower heads which develop into spiky seed balls that hang from the branches well into winter, adding year-round interest.
London Planes are particularly valued for their ability to thrive in urban conditions. They are tolerant of air pollution, compacted soils, and pruning, making them a popular choice for street trees and city parks. Their large leaves are effective at trapping air pollutants, contributing to improved air quality in urban areas. The tree’s size and spreading canopy make it an excellent shade tree, helping to cool urban heat islands.
While not a native species, the London Plane has become an iconic part of many UK cityscapes, particularly in London where it lines many streets and squares. It’s a long-lived tree, with some specimens known to be over 300 years old. The London Plane also provides valuable habitat for urban wildlife, with its dense canopy offering nesting sites for birds and its bark crevices supporting various insects.
Plant your London Plane in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. It’s adaptable to most soil types and pH levels. While established trees are drought-tolerant, young trees benefit from regular watering. Prune in late winter if necessary to maintain shape or size. Be aware that the tree’s large size means it needs ample space to grow.
🇬🇧 Grown here in the UK
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Approx 40-60cm tall. Supplied in a tall 9cm pot