Platanus × hispanica ‘Malburg’ swing tree

We’ve come to rely on the ‘Mailburg’ plane here on the nursery for its dependable, upright growth. It forms a lovely, straight central trunk and a well-balanced, semi-open crown. Its most notable feature is the beautiful bark, which flakes away in plates to show a patchwork of grey, olive and creamy yellow-green beneath. The large, maple-like leaves are a bright, fresh green when they appear in late spring.

This is a large tree, capable of reaching 20 to 30 metres in height. ‘Mailburg’ is a fast-growing selection with a broadly oval shape. It’s a very accommodating tree, happy in almost any soil type and tolerant of urban pollution and paving. For the best results, plant it in a spot with plenty of light. Its deep, branching root system gives it good anchorage.

Once established, it needs very little attention. It handles pruning very well, even if you cut back into old wood, which is useful for managing its size if needed. The spiky, brown fruit clusters hang on the branches long into winter, adding a bit of interest after the leaves have fallen. It’s a fantastic choice for avenues or as a standalone feature tree on our Thurning ground where it has plenty of room to mature.