(Platanus x acerifolia)

The London plane is one of the most common and recognisable urban and parkland trees in cities worldwide. It is thought to be a hybrid between the Oriental plane, P. orientalis and American sycamore, P. occidentalis (common names are often misleading, for example, in America this tree is known as ‘sycamore’, whereas in Britain it is known as ‘plane’. To confuse matters further, in Britain sycamore is Acer pseudoplatanus and in America the same tree is called sycamore maple.)

It was ‘discovered’ in England in the mid-17th century by John Tradescant the Younger. The Tradescants were two of Britain’s most famous early ecologists and horticulturists, who gathered plant specimens from around the world at their nursery in Vauxhall, London. The exact origin of London plane is unknown, but it is possible that the hybridisation of the Asian and American trees occurred at the Tradescant nursery, eventually creating one of the world’s great street trees – several of which are planted at Waddesdon.

London planes have beautiful olive bark that flakes randomly, shedding plates that reveal the creamy-yellow bark underneath. This creates a mottled appearance, almost like camouflage. London plane leaves are large and similarly shaped to maples, hence the name acerifolia, which means ‘maple-like leaf’.

The fruits are perfectly spherical and covered in bristles. They remain on the tree for many months after the leaves drop in autumn.

Fun for families
What do you like best about the London Plane? Is it the ornamental looking fruits or the camouflage bark? Why not take a photograph and post it to our Instagram with #MyWaddesdon >

Tremendous Trees

A walking trail