The London plane trees located in the southern corner of Chelsea Waterside Park are the oldest trees in the HRPK. Originally planted in the 1930s when a smaller subset of Chelsea Waterside was known as Thomas F. Smith Park, these trees survived many renovations of the area and now provide beautiful shade. They are also the largest trees by mass in all of Hudson River Park.
Origin: Hybrid Originally found in London England
Lifespan: 300 years
Height: 75 to 120 feet
What makes London planetrees unique:
- The London plane tree is a cross between two different species of plane trees, Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis.
- A London plane tree in 2009 was recognized as Britain’s most valuable tree at 750,000 pounds.
- Plane trees have brilliant cream, olive, and light brown bark that makes them beautiful year-round.
