Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionLondon Plane Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
London Plane is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific namePlatanus x acerifolia
Janka hardness940 lbf
Average dried weight35 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose London Plane?
London Plane is a domestic hardwood species associated with Western Europe. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, carvings, and other small specialty wood objects
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific namePlatanus x acerifolia
DistributionWestern Europe
ShrinkageRadial: ~6%, Tangential: ~10%, Volumetric: ~16%, T/R Ratio: ~1.7
DurabilityLondon Plane is rated as non-durable to perishable regarding decay resistance, and is susceptible to insect attack.
London Plane colour, grain, and figure
Expect similar to maple, the wood of London Plane trees is predominantly comprised of the sapwood, with some darker heartwood streaks also found in most boards. (Though it is not too uncommon to also see entire boards of heartwood too.) The sapwood is white to light pinkish tan, while the heartwood is a darker reddish brown.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: london Plane has a fine, even texture that’s very similar to maple. The grain is usually straight.
Working notes
In the shop, overall, London Plane works easily with both hand and machine tools, though tearout can sometimes occur in the rays of perfectly quartersawn sections during planing. London Plane turns, glues, and finishes well.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Sycamore.
London Plane should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for London Plane
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, carvings, and other small specialty wood objects
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying London Plane from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
London Plane FAQ
What is London Plane best used for?
London Plane is best considered for veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, carvings, and other small specialty wood objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is London Plane beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell London Plane?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.