Question 1

True or false: The leaves of the London plane are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.

Accepted Answer

False. No evidence of toxicity; they are generally considered non-toxic to pets, though any plant material can cause mild upset.

Question 2

True or false: London plane trees are native only to the United Kingdom.

Accepted Answer

False. The London plane is a hybrid of the Oriental plane (native to southeastern Europe/western Asia) and the American sycamore (eastern North America). It originated in cultivation, likely in Spain or London, and is not native to the UK.

Question 3

True or false: London planes are sterile and cannot produce viable seeds.

Accepted Answer

False. They do produce fertile seeds; many seedlings grow in urban areas, though hybridization occurs.

Question 4

True or false: The London plane is a hybrid of the Oriental plane and the American sycamore.

Accepted Answer

True. The London plane (Platanus × acerifolia) is a cross between Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis, originating in the 17th century.

Question 5

True or false: The London plane is a hybrid between an American sycamore and an Oriental plane.

Accepted Answer

True. It is a cross between Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) and Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane), first documented in the 17th century.

Question 6

True or false: London plane trees can survive air pollution by actively shedding their bark every year.

Accepted Answer

True. They peel bark in flakes, which removes trapped pollutants and soot, helping them thrive in cities.

Question 7

True or false: The oldest London plane in London was planted by Christopher Wren in 1666.

Accepted Answer

False. No record supports this; the oldest known is at Barn Elms, planted around 1680, but not by Wren.

Question 8

True or false: The London plane tree is renowned for its ability to tolerate pollution and was commonly planted in industrial cities during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Accepted Answer

True. London planes thrive in polluted air due to their peeling bark that sheds toxins, making them a popular choice for urban areas.

London Plane Trivia Questions