Inspired by our upcoming Tree Identification walks, along with my overwhelming desire for winter to be over, I wanted to write a quick post on our most plentiful New York City street tree, and a personal favorite, the London Plane. 

The London Plane is a hybrid tree, closely related to the American Sycamore. They're mostly planted in urban locations because they're super pollution resistant and able to withstand heat, cold, and root compaction. When you think about the small beds most street trees are planted in, you can see why root compaction is a huge issue. 

During the warmer months, one of the ways you can identify a London Plane is by their leaf (below), which looks a bit like a maple leaf and happens to be the logo of the New York City Parks Department. But since there isn't a leaf in site these days, here are a couple other ways to identify London Planes as you're walking around the city. 

London Plane Leaf and Seed Balls, courtesy The Tree Seen

Seed Balls

Another helpful identifying characteristic, especially when there's a bit less snow around, is the London Plane's seed ball. It's spiky and hard to miss (pictured above).  

Bark 

image courtesy mwms1916

My favorite characteristic of the tree is its amazing bark. It peels off, seemingly exfoliating itself, to reveal a multi-colored pattern that resembles camoflage, and once you start noticing it on the streets of New York, you won't be able to quit. (Lucky for you, they're approximately 10% of the city's street trees.)

Keep any eye out! Spotting trees is a great way to make a long, cold walk a bit less painful.