EXCLAMATION!™ London planetree | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Sycamore, planetree
Family (botanic) Platanaceae
Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Restricted sites, Wide median
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 55-65 feet
Mature width 40-50 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Road salt, Wet sites
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Pyramidal
Growth rate Fast
Transplants well Yes
Wildlife Birds, Insect pollinators, Small mammals
Has cultivars NA

Native geographic location and habitat:

Of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture:

The bark is peeling, revealing a mottled pattern of green, tan and brown.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The alternate leaves are large, 6 to 7 inches long and up to 10 inches wide, and palmately lobed. The medium green leaves change to yellow and brown in fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Flowers are monoecious, with separate male and female flowers. Flowers appear in early spring with the leaves as dense globose balls on long stalks (peduncles). Male flowers are green and female flowers are a showier bright burgundy-red. Not ornamentally important.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Ball-like seed heads (1 inch diameter) hang in pairs from long stalks. Seeds shatter during winter months. This cultivar tends to produce less fruit than the species.