Most people know the London plane as the tree that lines city streets and parks across Britain. Few realise that beneath its distinctive bark lies a beautiful hardwood capable of becoming bespoke furniture, shelving and unique woodworking projects.
Recently, our team at Treecycling UK carefully removed a mature London plane tree in Suffolk. Rather than allowing the timber to become firewood or woodchip, we milled it with the aim of giving it a second life.
Quick Answer: London plane is a hardwood prized for its distinctive lace-like grain, strength and warm colour. Although best known as an urban tree, London plane timber is increasingly sought after for furniture, shelving, turning and bespoke joinery.
Why Are London Plane Trees So Common?
The London plane (Platanus × acerifolia) is one of Britain's most recognisable trees. Originally planted throughout towns and cities because of its resilience, it tolerates pollution, compacted soils and pruning better than many native species. Its distinctive camouflage-like bark sheds naturally, helping the tree cope with the harsh conditions of urban environments.
Although closely associated with London, mature London plane trees can be found across Suffolk, Norfolk and much of the UK.
Why Was This Tree Removed?
Like many of the trees we work with, this London plane wasn't removed because it had reached the end of its natural life with a significant amount of rot at its base.
Trees are often felled for practical reasons, including:
- Storm damage
- Structural concerns
- Development work
- Safety around buildings or roads
- Declining health
Whenever possible, we look beyond the removal itself and ask a different question:
Can this timber be saved?
In this case, the answer was yes.
Milling the Timber
Once safely removed, the massive log was quartered and transported to our workshop for milling.
Every tree presents different opportunities. Some produce wide live-edge slabs ideal for dining tables. Others are better suited to shelving, smaller furniture projects or turning blanks.
The grain hidden beneath the bark isn't visible until the first cut is made, which is one of the most rewarding parts of milling timber. With London plane, that first cut rarely disappoints.
What Makes London Plane Wood So Special?
London plane timber has a character all of its own.
Quarter-sawn boards often reveal an attractive flecked figure, sometimes described as lacewood because of its intricate pattern. Combined with warm pink and golden-brown tones, this creates timber that stands out without being overpowering.
Every board is different, but common characteristics include:
- Decorative flecked grain
- Fine, even texture
- Warm natural colouring
- Good machining properties
- Excellent suitability for furniture
It's a timber that rewards careful craftsmanship.
Is London Plane a Hardwood?
Yes. London plane is classified as a hardwood and is valued for its balance of strength, stability and workability. While it isn't as durable outdoors as naturally durable species such as oak, it performs exceptionally well for interior furniture and joinery when properly dried and finished.
What Can London Plane Timber Be Used For?
Because of its attractive figure and consistent grain, London plane is popular for a wide range of interior projects.
These include:
- Dining tables
- Coffee tables
- Floating shelves
- Cabinets
- Desk tops
- Window boards
- Turning blanks
- Decorative joinery
The unique grain means every finished piece becomes a genuine one-off.
Air Drying for the Next Chapter
Freshly milled timber contains a high level of moisture. Rather than rushing the process, we carefully stack each board with spacers to encourage natural airflow. Air drying takes patience, but it allows the timber to stabilise gradually before it's ready for furniture making and woodworking projects.
The main point to get across is that good timber can't be hurried.
Giving Local Trees a Second Life
At Treecycling UK, we believe remarkable timber doesn't have to come from overseas. Some of the finest boards begin life much closer to home. By milling locally sourced trees that would otherwise become waste, we're helping preserve the stories hidden inside them while creating beautiful timber for future generations of makers.
Every tree has its own history. Every board has its own character and every project begins with a decision to see value where others might only see waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is London plane good for furniture?
Yes. London plane is widely used for bespoke furniture because of its attractive grain, good workability and distinctive appearance.
What colour is London plane timber?
Freshly milled London plane is often pale cream with subtle pink and golden tones that deepen as the timber matures and is finished.
Why is London plane sometimes called lacewood?
When quarter sawn, London plane develops a striking flecked grain pattern often referred to as lacewood. Although true lacewood comes from different species, the appearance is very similar.
Is London plane suitable for shelving?
Absolutely. Once properly dried, London plane makes excellent shelving, offering strength alongside its distinctive decorative grain.
Can reclaimed London plane be bought in the UK?
Yes. At Treecycling UK, we occasionally mill locally sourced London plane trees into slabs, boards and bespoke timber for furniture makers and woodworkers. Because every tree is different, availability changes throughout the year.
Discover Timber with a Story
The London plane we removed in Suffolk has already spent decades growing, adapting and becoming part of the local landscape.
Now, through careful milling and patient drying, it has the opportunity to begin a new chapter.
Whether it becomes a dining table, a shelf or a bespoke piece of furniture, its story doesn't end with the tree. In many ways, that's where it truly begins.
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