A12: London Plane : Platanus x hispanica

The famous London Plane is a hybrid between the American and Oriental Plane trees, probably occurring in Spain in the mid 17th century. It was planted in England in about 1680 and the first trees are still surviving. Trees can grow to 23 m in 55 years. New hybrids have recently been produced and marketed. Resistant to pollution (dirt washes off shiny leaves, and leaves are produced throughout the season) and soil compaction it is ideal for towns and cityscapes. The bark is shed mid-summer in big scrunchy plates. It is not related to Sycamores, though the leaf shape is similar