Question 1

True or false: The seed balls of the London plane tree are often called 'buttonballs' and hang on the tree all winter.

Accepted Answer

True. These spiky, spherical seed clusters persist through winter, providing food for birds and visual interest.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

False. No, London plane leaves are not toxic to pets. They are considered safe, though not a food source.

Question 3

True or false: London plane trees can tolerate soil compaction better than almost any other urban tree.

Accepted Answer

True. Their root systems are remarkably resilient to compacted, poor soil, making them ideal for city sidewalks and streets.

Question 4

True or false: London plane trees are illegal to plant in some U.S. states because they attract invasive beetles.

Accepted Answer

False. They are widely planted in U.S. cities and not banned. They can host some pests, but no state prohibits them.

Question 5

True or false: London plane trees shed their bark in large strips to help them survive city pollution.

Accepted Answer

True. Peeling bark removes soot and pollutants trapped on the surface, allowing the tree to breathe and resist disease.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

True. It's a hybrid of Platanus occidentalis and Platanus orientalis, first documented in the 17th century in London.

Question 7

True or false: The oldest London plane tree in the world is over 500 years old and grows in Paris.

Accepted Answer

False. The hybrid only emerged around 1650, so no tree is that old. The oldest known is about 350 years old in London's Berkeley Square.

Question 8

True or false: London plane trees were widely planted after the Great Fire of London in 1666 to help rebuild the city.

Accepted Answer

False. They were planted extensively in the 18th and 19th centuries, not immediately after the fire. The hybrid wasn't even known then.

London Plane Tree Trivia Questions