Tree Profiles > How to identify a London plane tree
How do you identify a London plane tree?
Wondering if you are looking at a London plane tree? Your clues are their leaves, buds and seeds. Here’s what they look like at-a-glance:
London plane tree facts
Hello! In today’s guide we are going to learn how to identify a London plane tree. Are you ready? Let’s get started! Here are a few London plane facts:
- Common name: London plane
- Latin name: Platanus hispanica
- Family: Platanaceae
London plane trees can grow up to 35 meters tall, live for up to 2-300 years and can be found growing in country estates, parks and city streets.
London plane leaves
The leaves of London plane are large, palmate, leathery and have 3-5 pointy lobes.
London plane bark
The bark of this tree is very distinctive, flaking and many-coloured.
London plane flowers
The male flowers are crinkly, spherical balls. Female flowers are crinkly, spherical and have long, red stigmas.
London plane seeds
The seeds grow tightly packed together in dense balls, which dangle down from the branch on long stalks.
Trees that look similar to London plane
London plane leaf
Norway maple leaf
Norway maple
Norway maple leaves look similar to London plane leaves, but are smaller size, thinner and less leathery.
London plane tree uses
- Environment – This tree is widely used to provide shade and improve air quality in cities