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Tree of the moment

An extra insight into some of Richmond's prominent trees.

The London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia)

You will notice this tree at the moment as it retains its leaves for longer than most and when they do fall they are big, waxy and lots of them. Those piles of leaves on the ground, however, have absorbed a lot of air pollution over the growing season.

The Borough is home to the largest plane tree in London (as pictured) on Richmond riverside. Directions and details on the tree can be found on the Great Trees Of London website.

The largest London Plane Tree in London on Richmond riverside.

Facts about the London plane tree

  • Despite its common name, this tree does not originate from the capital - it is an introduced hybrid widely planted in London streets and squares
  • The first recorded description was in 1670 about a specimen in the Oxford Botanic Gardens which probably originated from a nursery garden at Lambeth.
  • London planes trees are hardy and may grow to over 30m (100ft).
  • Both male and female flowers both grow on the same tree - the reddish female ones at the shoot tips, the yellow male ones further back.
  • The bobble-like fruits, composed of many individual seeds, do not fall off but remain on the tree all winter - a further advantage where planes are planted in cities as they do not drop on people, cars or pavements.

Picture of bobble fruit and leaf of the London Plane Tree

  • The timber is hard and fine-grained, resembling beech and is marketed as "lace wood" because of the delicate tracery of its grain pattern.
  • Measuring about 15cm (6ins) across, its large light-green leaves have about five lobes. The foliage turns to a rich brown in autumn, and the leathery leaves slowly break down over winter.
  • The London plane tree has been widely planted in parks, squares and avenues. It has elegant form,provides shade but is not gloomy has fresh summer foliage and attractive bark with the practicalities of coping with soot-laden air and restricted root spaces in built up areas.
  • The survival secret is that its shiny leaves are easily washed clean by the rain and it sheds bark regularly in large patches, preventing the trees lenticels or breathing pores in the trunk becoming suffocated under a layer of sooty, sulphurous grime.
  • Many were planted 200 years ago and are still growing vigorously in London squares as they were particularly tolerant of the soot-laden atmosphere and inner city smogs.