Why Plant Bloodgood London Planetree (Sycamore)?
While “Planetree” isn’t exactly a household word, you may be familiar with the mighty American Sycamore, a parent of the excellent hybrid tree known as Bloodgood London Planetree (or London Plane Tree). Except to the nerdiest of tree nerds, the two plants look identical: Sycamore and Planetree are both large shade trees with massive limbs, big leaves, and fantastic flaky bark in a crazy-quilt pattern of khaki, gray, and ivory. Bloodgood London Planetree is a majestic, fast-growing tree for lining your driveway, creating a park-like atmosphere in your yard, or just providing some shade for a picnic table or patio. Give this legacy tree a roomy spot where it can live out the long, full life it is destined for.
In 1792, the rules for buying and selling bonds and shares in companies began beneath a Sycamore tree or what was then referred to as a Buttonwood tree (fun fact: its wood was used for making buttons!). Twenty-four of New York’s leading merchants came together under their favorite Buttonwood Tree at 68 Wall Street where they drafted and signed “The Buttonwood Agreement”. This agreement stated that the stockbrokers were to only deal with each other laying the foundation for what has become the New York Stock Exchange. The Buttonwood Tree remained on Wall Street another 70+ years until it fell over during a storm. The loss was treated like a death in the family all across the country.
How to use Bloodgood London Planetree (Sycamore) in the landscape?
If you need a large specimen tree, then this is the tree for you! A fast growing tree that displays some of the best looking bark you'll ever see. The bark is patchy with colors ranging from creamy white to olive green. Large sections of the bark usually shed from the tree as it matures. The foliage is usually a dark green throughout spring and summer but changes to yellow in fall. Just a wonderful tree to use as a specimen, shade, or street tree.
How To Plant Bloodgood London Planetree (Sycamore)
Planetrees are often called upon to perform where few other trees can survive. They laugh at exhaust fumes, compacted soil, alkaline soil, heat, and drought. You’ll often see them planted as street trees in the heart of the city, even though they will certainly outgrow their space if not pruned rather drastically. In European cities they are commonly “pollarded” (a severe sort of yearly pruning) to keep them within bounds. Bloodgood is a hybrid with resistance to the anthracnose disease that can hit purebred Sycamores, though some dieback does occasionally occur.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Prune
Planetrees are a relatively low maintenance tree, so it does not require pruning.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
