London Planetree
Platanus x acerifolia · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Widely planted as a street and urban shade tree throughout temperate regions globally, originating as a hybrid of the American sycamore and Oriental plane.
- Hardness
- 770 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Non-durable, with poor resistance to decay and insect attack.
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Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain with a prominent and distinctive fleck pattern on quarter-sawn surfaces due to very broad rays.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is light to medium reddish brown, while the sapwood is a paler whitish to yellowish gray. The most striking visual aspect is its exfoliating bark showing patches of cream, olive green, and brown.
Hardness (Janka)
770 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, with poor resistance to decay and insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot for domestic lumber.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Living tree trunk showing mature bark characteristics, estimated at 30 to 50 years.
- Sustainability Status
- Least concern, widely abundant, not listed on CITES or IUCN red lists.
Common Uses
Boxes, crates, pallets, veneer, interior furniture, and occasionally turned items.
Geographic Origin
Widely planted as a street and urban shade tree throughout temperate regions globally, originating as a hybrid of the American sycamore and Oriental plane.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing if cutting angles are not kept sharp.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well; oil, lacquer, and polyurethane produce excellent results once the surface is properly sanded.
Notable Features
Known primarily for its unique camouflage-like exfoliating bark, broad rays visible on quartersawn lumber, and high resistance to urban pollution.
