- London Plane: A Tree With Gritty Roots (Published 2016)
- This tree has shown itself to be an urban survivor, even among New York City’s asphalt slabs.
The leaf symbol used by NYC Parks is often mistaken for a maple leaf, but it is actually a stylized representation that most closely resembles the leaf of the London plane tree (Platanus × acerifolia), which is one of the most commonly planted and resilient trees in New York City parks. The London plane’s leaf has a similar shape to a maple leaf, which is why some people confuse the two, and even NYC Parks staff and historians acknowledge that the logo has been identified variously as a sycamore, London plane, maple, or sycamore maple.
The reason for choosing this leaf shape is practical and historical, not a nod to Canada or the Canadian maple leaf. The London plane tree became prominent in NYC in the 1930s due to its ability to withstand urban pollution, and the leaf was adopted as the Parks Department’s logo when the agency was unified in 1934 under Robert Moses. The design was intended to represent the "essence of a leaf" found on New York City streets, rather than any specific species or national symbol.
In summary, the NYC Parks leaf symbol is not a maple leaf in the Canadian sense, but a stylized London plane leaf, chosen for its local significance and visual similarity to a generic leaf shape. Its resemblance to the maple leaf is coincidental, not intentional, and it serves as an iconic emblem of New York City’s park system rather than a symbol of Canadian identity.
Why is the London plane tree commonly planted in NYC
The London plane tree is commonly planted in New York City because it is exceptionally well-suited to the challenging urban environment. Its popularity stems from several key traits:
High tolerance to pollution: London plane trees are among the most efficient at removing pollutants from the air, making them ideal for city streets with heavy vehicle emissions and other contaminants.
Resilience to urban stress: They can withstand droughts, heavy rains, vandalism, salt, and even cleaning chemicals poured onto sidewalks-conditions that often damage or kill less hardy trees.
Ability to thrive in compacted soil: Their roots tolerate the compacted, often poor-quality soil found in city tree pits and along sidewalks.
Fast growth and large canopy: London planes grow quickly and can reach impressive heights, providing much-needed shade and cooling in dense urban areas.
Distinctive appearance: Their attractive, mottled bark and broad, hand-shaped leaves add visual appeal to city streets and parks.
The widespread planting of London plane trees in NYC began in the 1930s under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, who valued their toughness and adaptability for greening the city.
