Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree

Name: Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 8000.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$8,000.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 1000L

1000L 200L 100L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
200L: 2.8m – 3.5m Approx.
1000L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree

Platanus x acerifolia, commonly known as the London Plane Tree, is a large, fast-growing deciduous shade tree celebrated for its impressive stature and distinctive exfoliating bark. This hybrid, combining traits from Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis, is a top choice for streetscapes, parklands, and expansive estates where size, longevity, and resilience are essential.

Growing up to 30–35 meters tall with a spread of 20–25 meters, it features a broad canopy that starts pyramidal in youth and matures into a wide, rounded crown. Its large, lobed green leaves create dense summer shade and provide a seasonal display with autumn leaf drop. The bark is especially striking, peeling to reveal a mottled pattern of creamy white, olive, and grey tones that adds year-round visual interest.

Thriving in full sun, the London Plane tolerates pollution, compacted soils, and various soil types, making it ideal for urban settings and high-traffic areas. While moderately drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from deep watering and occasional pruning to maintain its form and manage size.

Perfect for avenue planting, public parks, and large-scale landscaping, this tree combines functionality with striking aesthetics and dependable performance.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 20m - 30m Approximately

Mature Width: 20 – 25 meters

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30cm – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree frost tolerant?

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Platanus × acerifolia produces small, spherical clusters of greenish-yellow flowers in spring. Though understated, these rounded blooms line the branches and develop into the classic spiky seed balls that often persist into winter.

Native Information

Is Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree an Australian Native? No

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree is Native to A hybrid between Platanus orientalis (Oriental Plane, native to Europe and Asia) and Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore, native to North America).

Wildlife Value

Its spring flowers support early pollinating insects, while the long-lasting seed balls provide food for certain bird species. The expansive canopy offers excellent shade, shelter and nesting habitat for birds, making it a highly valuable tree for biodiversity in parklands and city plantings.

Sunlight Information

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Platanus × acerifolia performs best in fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates a wide pH range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Highly adaptable to compacted, poor and urban soils, it may still struggle in heavy, waterlogged conditions unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support drought resilience, vigorous canopy growth and long-term urban performance.

Botanical Information

Common Name: London Plane Tree

Genus: Platanus

Botanical Species: acerifolia

Family: Platanaceae

Botanical Name: Platanus x acerifolia

Landscape Uses

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

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant the London Plane Tree:

Optimal planting occurs during the dormant season, typically in autumn or early spring.
Dig a hole that is 2-3 times the width of the root ball and of equal depth.
Position the tree, ensuring that the top of the root ball aligns with the surrounding soil.
Backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Feature Planting: Space 10 – 12 m apart to showcase mature canopy

Avenue Planting: Space 8 – 10 m apart for continuous shaded alignment

Public Parks & Estates: Space flexibly depending on design intent and canopy overlap

Caring for the London Plane Tree

The London Plane Tree, while hardy, benefits from some essential care practices:

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning: Perform pruning in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and maintain the desired shape and size of the tree.

Fertilization: Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth.

Watering: Especially during the first year after planting, provide regular watering to ensure the tree's establishment.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Platanus × acerifolia thrives in well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions:

Sandy Soil: Retains moisture poorly—add compost or mulch to improve water retention.

Clay Soil: Can become compacted—loosen with organic matter and sand for better aeration.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for strong root development and consistent growth.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Tolerates a wide pH range, making it highly adaptable.

Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30cm – 60 cm per year.

Fast Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established the London Plane develops strong drought tolerance. Exceptionally tough, it thrives in hot, dry, polluted and urban environments, maintaining a broad, leafy canopy with only occasional deep watering during extended dry spells.

Flowering Information

Does Platanus x acerifolia - London Plain Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best uses for the London Plane Tree in someone's garden?

A: The London Plane Tree is ideally suited for street planting, enhancing park landscapes, and gracing large gardens and estates due to its size and adaptability to urban settings. It offers superb shade and contributes to noise reduction and improved air quality.

Q: How rapidly does the London Plane Tree grow?

A: Platanus x acerifolia is a fast-growing tree, capable of achieving its mature height and width within 15-20 years.

Q: Does the London Plane Tree tolerate drought?

A: While it exhibits moderate drought tolerance, regular watering, especially in the first year after planting, is recommended to ensure optimal growth.

Q: When should I schedule pruning for my London Plane Tree?

A: Pruning your tree in late winter or early spring is advisable, primarily to eliminate dead or damaged branches and manage its shape and size.

Q: Can the London Plane Tree thrive in polluted and compacted soil conditions?

A: Yes, the London Plane Tree demonstrates remarkable tolerance to pollution, compacted soil, and a broad range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.

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