London Planetree
ID
2901-1057
(Platanus x acerifolia)
Summary:
Foliage: Deciduous broadleaf
Height: 100 feet
Spread: 80 feet
Shape: Pyramidal in youth, spreading with age
London planetree is a medium/large species that is very tolerant of adverse conditions. It has ornamental which bark flakes off, exposing tan, greenish and creamy white colors.
Plant Needs:
Zone: 5 to 8
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet to moist to dry
Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 8.2
Functions:
Suggested uses for this plant include shade, street tree, and specimen plant.
Planting Notes:
Transplants readily.
Tolerates wide range of conditions, including air pollution.
Plant in a location that will allow the plant ample room to spread. Do not plant where branches will interfere with power lines.
Care:
Bark and leaves continuously drop off, causing litter.
Tolerates heavy pruning. Prune in the winter.
Problems:
Some problems include cankerstain, anthracnose, lacebug, and frost cracking of the bark.
There are cultivars that exhibit pest resistance. Roots of this species can heave sidewalks. This species is relatively messy due to leaf and fruit litter.
Alternatives:
Consult local garden centers, historic or public gardens and arboreta regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.
Cultivars of Platanus x acerifolia:
`Bloodgood' ‘Columbia’ and ‘Liberty’ are reported to be resistant to anthracnose, however, there are conflicting reports on this aspect.
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a large tree that is best suited to parks or natural areas. It can tolerate wet soils.
Comments:
The most striking feature of the London planetree is its flaking bark that peels to reveal a lighter colored bark underneath. This species is noted for its tolerance to adverse conditions.
Best used only in open areas where its growth will not be restricted.
This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg Foundation.
Rights
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Publisher
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Alan L. Grant, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
Date
May 1, 2009