How to care for a london plane tree?

5 years ago

I'm on top of the world! I'm buying a london plane tree tomorrow and a weeping birch! I read on the internet that the london plane tree is so strong and resilient that there is hardly anything you have to do to keep it healthy after planting. What type of environment do london plane trees prefer? Wet, moist or just average?

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Kacey Robbins

5 years ago

I am also in Northern Utah and I would second the caution of planting in August. I love the tree though, I first fell in love with them visiting NYC. Love to see a pic when you get it planted.

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Comments (14)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
5 years ago
This is coming out like random thoughts.

London planes are getting a lot of good press right now.

If happy its a large tree. I think you can error on the wet side when watering but mature straight species sycamores grow in all kinds of urban lots in St Louis here, some unattended.

Make sure you have room for it. Make sure you know what its seed pods are like. That bark on older trees sure is neat.

Google proper pruning cuts so you can help limb up your tree. Also make sure it isn't planted too deeply.

August planting isn't ideal so you should have a good plan for watering it.

Where in the world are you by the way? Nearest big city should do. Maybe elevation if you are out west.
chesslogic135
Original Author
5 years ago
I live in northern Utah my elevation is 4770 ft.
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I'd love to see it, whaas, I've always shyed away from Platanus despite the fact I love them - the P. occidentalis due to the horrible anthracnose most get here, and the P. x acerifolia due to the rusty appearance the leaves get in mid to late summer due to the combo of heat/dryness/mildew. Most of the LP's around here have already mostly defoliated, while the American Sycamores are nice and healthy NOW, but due to springtime anthracnose, didn't look fully leafed out until almost July. If this cultivar holds up at least reasonably well on both ends, I might consider it. FWIW almost ALL London Planes around here I believe are 'Bloodgood'. Now I can't speak to the differences between MD and WI as far as leaf issues overall, but if your tree looks generally better than the Bloodgood LP would, then I'd probably give it a try.
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Stick your finger in the rootball. If its moist or damp, walk away. If its feels some what dry or you can't push through the soil then its time to water. If the later you can use a screwdriver to create holes in the root ball. Go slowly as you don't want to damage any of the main roots. This is the only universal advice anyone can provide. Your soil and its ability to drain and or retain moisture is unique to that SPECIFIC spot in your yard. Be especially careful not to overwater. More trees die because of this than lack of water. Evaporation is tampered quite a bit during cooler temps fall through spring. Summer is where you need to be more diligent if mother nature doesn't provide adequate moisture. I usually don't have to water October through May even if its a new planting. Anything I planted in October got one watering at planting. Unless I don't get any rain over the next several weeks I'll give it another watering before the soil freezes.
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if you fert your lawn ... and it appears you do.. the tree will get more fert.. than it will ever need .... just put it out of your mind.. that it will need anything more .... now that you figured it out.. can you give us a pic of the whole tree .... is it mulched ... also.. how is it watered.. lawn irrigation is seldom good enough.. as the trees roots are much deeper than the grass ... and you need to insure water is provided down into it root mass ... irrigation can maintain moisture at depth.. but we have to insure it is deeper .. this usually is not a moist spring issue.. but a heat of the summer problem ... as noted.. where are you ... what is your soil.. how did you plant it ... and how did you water it last year ... with trees.. things happen in tree time ... and stresses you are seeing now.. can date back to an event a year or two back ... which means how it was transported to seller.. to your house.. potted.. or ball and burlap.... etc ... we need to look back in time .. while perfecting conditions forward ... how you water in your location.. in your weather.. in your soil ... is left to you to figure out.. but hopefully we can offer some guidance to help you figure it out .... ken
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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
5 years ago
I may not be your man for the best advice for that location! Most of my northern Utah knowledge comes from a railroad office job I had. Don't get hurt along the tracks west of the lake is my advice.

If no one else replies....

Do our native sycamores grow there? If so I bet you will be fine.

Are there any watering restrictions we need to think about? I ask because that's a thing in Colorado where I have been.
scotjute Z8
5 years ago
You will need to water it regularly for first two years til it is "establised". General rule of thumb is 5-10 gallons per inch diameter of trunk. Water when planting and then 2-3 times a week thru August and Sept. After that once a week til dormancy sets in. Adjust as needed. You should be watering it at least weekly next year during summer. Less in spring, winter, and fall. Good luck.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
just because you get your hands on it ... does not mean its proper planting time ... frankly.. see first section at link below ...

mail order houses usually dont even ship in august.. and i would defer shipping until sept ... if that is how you are getting it ...

if not mail order .. i would put the pot in a spot where the pot stays out of sun .. but the tree is in sun ... no tree favors hot roots ... water the pot for a tree ... which means a drink.. and then most flows out the bottom ... and then dont water it again.. until its dry ... do not water it like a houseplant/annual/perennial.. many of which like a lot of constant water ...

water needs for a transplant is different than in the decades to come .... see link for proper watering ... after planting ...

keeping a transplant healthy ... is all about getting it to grow a root mass.. so that it overcomes the transplant ... and then start taking on mature characteristics .... do not confuse mature needs or characteristics.. with a recent transplant .. e.g. drought tolerance has nothing to do with a transplant.. until the tree is fully established.. which .. in tree time.. is 2 or 3 years after planting ....

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
Mike McGarvey
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I can't think of a reason to plant one. It has more faults than good points, and unless you're landed gentry, room for it is a major issue. If you like it, enjoy it while you're driving or walking in the park. Owning one would be a liability in my book.
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I've seen big old Sycamores in SLC. They grow well there
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
London Planes look stunning where they are happy. There are hundreds in my city and they are no trouble at all. They are not a liability, they have no issues and they grow in any conditions. But that is where they are happy. I can't speak for how they behave elsewhere. I don't know what their faults might be.
whaas_5a
5 years ago
Are you going to let the tree borers loose on this one?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
I'd have to agree with floral on this. London Plane trees are no better or worse than any other large growing shade tree. One just needs to have the space to properly accommodate and the desire to address the litter (leaves, seed balls).........which any/all shade trees tend to generate. Fast growing and extremely site-adaptable.
Embothrium
5 years ago
Related thread

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/1713810/do-i-really-want-a-sycamore-tree#n=27
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
whaas - I don't know of any borers in the UK which attack plane trees.

I've never understood the concept of 'litter' or 'mess' when associated with trees. Trees have leaves and fruit. That is their nature.
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
5 years ago
floral - Whsaa was half mocking the OP. It made me chuckle

How to care for a london plane tree?

Kacey Robbins

Comments (14)

Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis

chesslogic135
Original Author

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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis

scotjute Z8

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whaas_5a

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Embothrium

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

L Clark (zone 4 WY)

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How to care for a london plane tree?

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chesslogic135Original Author

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chesslogic135
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