# Plane Tree (*Platanus*)

Plane trees, also known as sycamores, have unique mottled bark that peels off in patches. They provide shade with their large, hand-shaped leaves and are often found lining streets and parks.

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Urban areas
- **Also known as:** London Plane

![Plane Tree](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425862/objects/6319.jpg)

## Appearance

The Plane Tree has distinctive patchy bark, often grey, cream, and olive green, which peels off in flakes to reveal lighter colours underneath. Its large, five-lobed leaves resemble maple leaves, and it produces curious spherical seed balls that hang from branches.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Proteales
- **Family:** Platanaceae
- **Genus:** Platanus

## Interesting facts

- A famous Plane Tree in Greece is over 2,400 years old!
- In North America, many Plane Trees are called Sycamores!
- Plane Trees are often planted in cities because they are super tough!
- Their fuzzy "buttonball" seeds can hang on the tree all winter long!

## Special abilities

- **Bark Peeling Power:** Plane Tree can shed its outer bark that helps it clean off pollution and grow without cracking.
- **City Survivor Shield:** Plane Tree has tough leaves and roots that help it thrive in polluted city environments.
- **Regrowth Ranger:** Plane Tree can regrow quickly after heavy pruning that helps it recover from damage or shaping.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 20-40 m
- **Spread:** 15-25 m
- **Edible:** No
- **Size:** 100-300 cm
- **Lifespan:** 200-500 years
- **Fruit Type:** Achenes clustered in spherical heads (buttonballs)
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Deciduous

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Sycamore Lace Bug (*Corythucha ciliata*) — Feeds on sap from its leaves.
- **Eats:** [Hickory Tussock Moth](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hickory-tussock-moth) (*Lophocampa caryae*) — Larvae munch on its leaves.
- **Shelter:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Nests in tree cavities and branches.
- **Parasitizes:** Plane Anthracnose (*Apiognomonia veneta*) — Causes leaf spot and twig cankers.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Avoid climbing on trees without adult supervision to prevent accidents.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Plane Tree?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Plane Tree?

20-40 m

### How wide does Plane Tree spread?

15-25 m

### Is Plane Tree edible?

No

### How big is Plane Tree?

100-300 cm

### How long does Plane Tree live?

200-500 years

### Where is Plane Tree usually found?

Urban areas

### What kind of fruit does Plane Tree produce?

Achenes clustered in spherical heads (buttonballs)

## Where to spot

- [Japanischer Garten Kaiserslautern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/japanischer-garten-kaiserslautern) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Park
- [Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shinjuku-gyoen-national-garden) — Kanto, JP · Park
- [Schloss- und Burggarten (Schwerin)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schwerin-palace-gardens) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park
- [Viktoriapark (Berlin)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/viktoriapark-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park
- [Fürstenlager, Bensheim-Auerbach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fuerstenlager-bensheim-auerbach) — Hessen, DE · Park
- [Gartenschau Kaiserslautern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gartenschau-kaiserslautern) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Park

[View all places to see Plane Tree](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plane-tree)

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

---

Source: [Plane Tree: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plane-tree)