Wood Species Guide
London Plane
Platanus × acerifolia (syn. Platanus × hispanica)
Also called: London Planetree, European Plane, Plane, Platanus, Lacewood (when quartersawn, shared name)
About the name “London Plane”
London plane is a hybrid of American sycamore and Oriental plane, and the wood is nearly the same as sycamore. In Europe quartersawn plane is sold as lacewood, but our Lacewood page covers the South American wood of that name, and our American Sycamore page covers Platanus occidentalis.
What London Plane looks like
Light tan to reddish brown heartwood with paler sapwood. Quartersawn faces show dense, darker reddish ray flecks that create the lacewood look.
Grain and texture
Interlocked grain with a fine, even texture. The wide rays make quartersawn boards look speckled and scaly; flatsawn boards are much plainer.
Working London Plane: planing, cutting and gluing
Works easily with sharp tools, though interlocked grain can tear out on the planer. It glues and sands well. Drying can bring some warp, so stack it carefully if you mill your own.
Finishing London Plane: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil, stain and film finishes well, and a clear finish makes the ray figure shimmer. The fine grain seals quickly under epoxy.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not rot resistant and attractive to insects, so it is an indoor wood. Movement is moderate once dry. In Florida, acclimate it indoors and finish all faces.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
London plane comes mostly from felled city trees in Europe, and quartersawn boards make lovely drawer fronts, box lids and panels with that lacy fleck. It behaves much like our American sycamore in the shop. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for London Plane
Veneer, furniture, cabinet panels, interior trim, flooring, boxes, carving and turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List. Most lumber comes from urban trees.
Safety and toxicity
- No common reactions reported
No reactions beyond ordinary dust irritation are documented, the same as for American sycamore.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Good choice for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No reactions beyond ordinary wood dust irritation have been reported. Use dust collection and a mask when sanding.
London Plane in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have London Plane listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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