Plant Database
Columbia London Plane
Platanus acerifolia ‘Columbia’
The Columbia London Plane Tree is a classic, robust urban champion. Selected for its vigorous growth and uniformity, it quickly forms a tall, stately canopy of large, maple-like leaves. Its famous exfoliating bark and tolerance for pollution, compaction, and various soils make it an outstanding, large-scale shade tree for parks, wide streets, and estates where its grand size can be accommodated.
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Grows rapidly into a very large, imposing tree with a broad, pyramidal to rounded crown, providing deep, widespread shade.
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Features the iconic camouflage-patterned bark that peels in patches of gray, tan, and cream, providing exceptional textural interest year-round, especially in winter.
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Exhibits remarkable urban tolerance, withstanding air pollution, soil compaction, and drought better than many other large shade trees.
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Develops a strong, central leader and good branch structure, making the ‘Columbia’ cultivar a reliable and sturdy choice.
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Its large, palmate leaves are effective at filtering dust and pollutants from the air.