London plane trees are tall, broad-canopied trees with mottled bark that flakes away in patches of cream, grey, and olive. This gives their bark a trademark ‘camouflage’ appearance, which appears different on each side, making them fascinating urban natural compasses.
The London Plane’s large, maple-like leaves create dense summer shade, while round, spiky seed balls hang from branches in winter. They are common in cities because they are extremely tough. London plane trees tolerate air pollution, compacted soil, pruning, and drought better than many other species. Their peeling bark helps shed pollutants, and their strong roots cope with hard surfaces. These qualities made them ideal for streets and parks during rapid urban growth across Europe and North America today in modern cities.
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