27/06/2026
Pruning London Plane Trees – Timing is Everything
The London Plane is one of the UK’s most common urban tree species, particularly along streets, in parks, schools, and public spaces. Renowned for its resilience, it can tolerate pollution, compacted soils, and heavy pruning, making it a popular choice in towns and cities.
One question we are often asked is, “When is the best time to prune a London Plane tree?”
Generally, the ideal time to carry out pruning works on London Plane trees is during the dormant season, typically from late autumn through to early spring. Pruning during this period reduces stress on the tree, improves visibility of the canopy structure, and avoids the irritation caused by the tree’s flowers and leaf hairs.
However, due to the vast number of London Planes in urban environments, works are often required outside of the dormant season. Highway clearances, building clearances, safety concerns, storm damage, and planned maintenance programmes can all mean pruning needs to take place during spring and summer.
When London Plane trees are in flower or in full leaf, they release fine hairs from their leaves and seed balls. During pruning, these microscopic hairs can become airborne and may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, throat, and respiratory system. For this reason, our climbers and ground staff wear suitable respiratory protection and PPE whenever these works are undertaken.
Despite this, London Plane trees respond exceptionally well to pruning and can tolerate a range of management techniques, including crown reductions, pollarding, and cyclical maintenance programmes when carried out to industry standards.
Properly managed London Plane trees continue to provide significant benefits to our urban environment, including shade, improved air quality, carbon storage, and enhanced biodiversity.
The right tree, the right work, at the right time.
TreeMaintenance HealthAndSafety Arborist CommercialTreeCare SharpsTreeServicesLtd
