Tree · Platanaceae family

London plane

Platanus × hispanica

Full sun 25–35 m × 15–25 m to −29 °C Moderate care

In short a 10-second read

London plane (tree) grows to 25–35 m tall and 15–25 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.

SunFull sun
Size25–35 m
× spread 15–25 m
PruningJust tidy up
JanFeb
WinterNo protection
CareModerate care

Where to plant

Sun, soil, frost.

It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Elsewhere it will grow less well.

Soil and water

average to moist · watering: moderate

Soil: loamy, clay, sandy

Frost

−29 °C

It copes with a normal winter outdoors.

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

Next to a person

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m16 m17 m18 m19 m20 m21 m22 m23 m24 m25 m26 m27 m28 m29 m30 m31 m32 m33 m34 m35 m25–35 mspread 15–25 m

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

What to do and when.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Pruning: JanuaryPruning: FebruaryPruning: MarchPruning: AprilPruning: MayPruning: JunePruning: JulyPruning: AugustPruning: SeptemberPruning: OctoberPruning: NovemberPruning: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberWinter protection: JanuaryWinter protection: FebruaryWinter protection: MarchWinter protection: AprilWinter protection: MayWinter protection: JuneWinter protection: JulyWinter protection: AugustWinter protection: SeptemberWinter protection: OctoberWinter protection: NovemberWinter protection: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PruningPlanting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).

Pruning

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

No pruning needed — just remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, crossing branches and shoots growing in the wrong direction (January–February).

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March

Winter protection

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

not needed

Overwintering

It copes with winter on its own.

It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.

  • Needs no protection
  • Hardy to −29 °C
  • Deciduous — bare in winter

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does London plane tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does London plane need?

At maturity 15–25 m wide and 25–35 m tall; recommended spacing 1500 cm.

Does London plane survive winter outdoors?

Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.

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