Phil's Tree Pages — Identifying Planes

Identifying Planes

You know it's a plane because: the leaves are alternate, large and with the veins radiating from the point of attachment of the leaf-stalk; the fruit are hanging, prickly balls; the bark is highly characteristic.

Not to be confused with: Sycamore and other maples (opposite leaves); Sweet Gum (smaller leaves)

You would think that with only the two forms occurring in the UK, identification would be easy, but London Plane is one of those annoying repeatedly hybridized conglomerates, with lots of discrete forms occupying most parts of the spectrum between its parents, Buttonwood (P.occidentalis) and Oriental Plane (P.orientalis). Some cultivars are very similar to Oriental Plane. Oriental Plane usually has more deeply-lobed leaves and more fruit per string.

For the lowdown on London Plane, at least in London, see Plane trees in London ; Bean (see Tree Guides page) also has some helpful points.

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