PLATANUS X ACERIFOLIA – London Plane Tree

The London Plane Tree is one of the more common street trees found in urban settings.

[Elementary School students]

Did you know?

This tree came from what European county?

   *  The tree was recorded growing in London, England as far back as 1663.

http://www.dirrplants.com/index.html

What tree likes living in the city?

*  This tree does not mind car exhaust, pollution and other city (urban) odors.

http://www.dirrplants.com/index.html

The bark of the tree has many colors.

*  The tree sheds (exfoliates) its bark revealing many colors of cream, olive and yellow.

http://www.dirrplants.com/index.html

Leaf

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=307

[Middle School students]

Habitat (where it likes to live)

*  Well drained soils in full sun and also in wet soils
*  Location: Eastern and central North America  (Zone 4 to 8)

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=307

Requirements (what it needs to live)

*  Water: Medium
*  Maintenance: Medium to high (sheds bark)
*  Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree, Rain Garden

Identification (what it looks like)

*  One of the first trees to send out flowers in the spring
*  Exfoliating (shedding) bark – colors are creamy, olive and yellow patches
*  Tan furry fruits (in pairs) in the fall

[High School students]

Habit (how it grows)

*  Height: 75 to 100 feet
*  Spread: 60 to 75 feet
*  Bloom Time: April
*  Bloom Description: Yellow (male) and red (female) – not significant (showy)
*  Fruit – Tan furry balls
*  Sun: Full sun
*  Tolerate: Wet Soil, Air Pollution

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a892

Tree trunk/bark

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=307

Tree

https://shop.arborday.org/product.aspx?zpid=904

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=307

*  Suggested Use (where to plant it):
*  Street Tree – to provide shade for sidewalks and along the road
*  Residences – Good shade tree for yards
*  Parks – Seth Hand Park

References:

1. Missouri Botanic Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a892
2. Virginia Tech - http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=307
3. Arbor Day - https://shop.arborday.org/product.aspx?zpid=904
4. Michael Dirr - http://www.dirrplants.com/index.ht