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Platanus acerfolia 'Bloodgood' - Evergreen Trees Direct

About Your New Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood'

Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood', the London Plane, is a large deciduous shade tree with a broad upright canopy and big lobed palmate leaves. The bark flakes away in plates to leave a cream, olive and tan mosaic on the trunk and limbs. Leaves turn yellow brown before dropping in autumn.

It grows fast, at roughly 60 centimetres to 1 metre a year, and tolerates compacted soil, reflected heat and urban air better than almost any other large tree. Full sun suits it best. It is frost hardy, handles temperate and cool temperate climates, and needs deep watering while it is young.

Mature size is 20 to 30 metres tall and 15 to 25 metres wide, so it belongs in parks, wide streetscapes, school grounds and large rural properties rather than suburban backyards. It is the standard choice for a formal avenue, planted 3 metres apart. Few trees give this much summer shade over paving.

Frequently Asked Questions

About London Plane 'Bloodgood'

What is Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood'?

'Bloodgood' is a selected form of the London Plane, a hybrid between the Oriental and American planes. It is a large deciduous shade tree grown for its broad canopy, mottled flaking bark and hard wearing constitution. The selection was made for better resistance to anthracnose, a fungal disease that disfigures the species in wet springs.

How big does it grow?

It reaches 20 to 30 metres tall and 15 to 25 metres wide at maturity, with a heavy trunk and a broad spreading crown. This is a tree for open ground. Allow room for the canopy and for the root plate, and keep it well clear of buildings, boundaries and overhead wires.

How fast does it grow?

Roughly 60 centimetres to 1 metre a year in good conditions, which is fast for a tree of this size. Growth is quickest in the first ten to fifteen years and slows as the crown fills out. Deep watering through the establishment years makes a large difference to the eventual rate.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

It is deciduous. The large lobed leaves colour yellow brown through autumn and fall in late autumn, letting winter sun into the space below. New leaves appear in spring along with inconspicuous flowers, followed by the round bristly seed balls that hang from the bare branches through winter.

Does it have invasive roots?

Yes, the roots are vigorous and surface feeding, and they will lift paving and find cracked drains. Plant at least 8 to 10 metres from buildings, paths, pools and services, and further where the soil is reactive clay. In street planting, root barriers and adequate soil volume are worth the extra cost.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

It performs best in temperate and cool temperate districts, including Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and the southern tablelands, and it does well in irrigated inland towns. It is not suited to the wet tropics. Hot dry summers are fine provided the tree has access to deep soil moisture.

How do I prune and care for it?

Water deeply through the first three summers. Formative prune in the early years to a single leader with well spaced branches, then leave it alone apart from removing dead or crossing wood. Prune in winter while dormant. The leaf and seed hairs irritate skin, so wear sleeves and eye protection when working in the crown.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Street Tree
  • Avenue Planting
  • Shade Tree
  • Feature Tree
  • Council or Civic Landscapes

Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood' works in an:

  • Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
  • Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

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