Scientific: Platanus acerifolia (Synonyms: Platanus x acerifolia, Platanus x hybrida)
Common: London plane tree
Family: Platanaceae
Origin: Origin of this hybrid is unclear, possible a hybrid cross between Platanus occidentalis x Platanus orientalis, this hybrid is now recognized taxonomically by many as a unique species.
Pronounciation: PLA-ten-us a-sir-FOL-ee-a
Hardiness zones
Sunset 2-24
USDA 5-11
Landscape Use: Deciduous shade tree, large streets or avenues, parks. Not for use in narrow street medians of sidewalk planter strips.
Form & Character: Upright, rounded and regular, regal, mesic.
Growth Habit: Deciduous, woody, broadleaf perennial tree of moderate vigor to 40- to 80-feet tall with nearly equal spread, though generally smaller in Phoenix because of heat stress.
Foliage/Texture: "Maple-like" in shape, highly pubescent to tomentose large leaves that are are 3 to 5 lobed (mostly 3), lobes 1/3 as long as blade, foliage often prematurely senesces in Phoenix. Tree trunk mostly smooth and white to cream colored and blotched, a nice winter accent even in Phoenix; medium coarse texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Flowers are formed on axillary meristems, visually insignificant; fruit mostly in pairs, bristly and rounded, litter on ground is hard on bare feet - OOUCH!!
Seasonal Color: Golden brown early fall color is subtle. Winter trunk effect, quite white in color, is also of interest. Fall foliar color more pronounced in temperate northern climates.
Temperature: Very hardy of winter cold, but damaged (foliar and trunk scald) by summer temperatures above 110oF. Light: Full sun
Soil: Tolerant
Watering: London plane tree looks best with regular frequent irrigations that will in some years sustain leaf canopy through late summer into fall.
Pruning: Elevate canopy base, train vigorously as standard when young to avoid making large pruning cuts when tree matures. After transplanting, allow numerous small, short spur branches to grow on the lower trunks of immature trees for first few years in order to enhance trunk caliper and protect trunk from sunscald. Remove these spur branches as the tree's overarching and spreading canopy begins to consistently shade the tree's main trunk. As the tree matures, raise the crown very slowly in order to allow the canopy to shade the trunk and branches from the scorching desert summer sun.
Special warning: Summer heat stress injury is most certain when yahoot uncertified arborists called 'Hort clods' give this tree a 'California haircut', sometimes also referred to as 'Lion's tailing'. Avoid this bogus tree pruning practice, always hire only ISA Certified Arborists for proper tree care, and save a tree!
Propagation: Softwood or hardwood cuttings
Disease and Pests: In Phoenix disease and pest problems are minor. Otherwise, spider mites, scale, anthracnose, and powdery mildew are more common problems when London plane trees are grown in more humid climates such as along the Pacific coast.
Additional comments: London plane tree withstands urban conditions of reflected heat, smog, and dust better than most deciduous trees and as such deserves a place in Phoenix in open green settings such as parks and greenspaces. London plane tree is one of five taxa of sycamore that are used in Phoenix urban landscapes; the other are Platanus wrightii (Arizona sycamore), Platanus racemosa (California sycamore), Platanus mexicana (Mexican sycamore), and Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore). On balance, London plane tree is a better choice for Phoenix greenscapes than Platanus occidentalis, but is not as good a choice as either Platanus wrightii or Platanus mexicana.
