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 fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose London Plane?
London Plane is a domestic hardwood species. Grows in western Europe. Common uses include furniture, flooring, veneer, plywood, interior trim, carvings, pallets, crates and assorted small specialty objects.
Scientific namePlatanus x acerifolia
DistributionGrows in western Europe
ShrinkageRadial: ~6%, Tangential: ~10%, Volumetric: ~16%, T/R Ratio: ~1.7
DurabilityLondon Plane has non-durable to perishable decay resistance and is prone to insect attack.
London Plane colour, grain, and figure
Much like maple, boards of London Plane are mostly sapwood with a few darker heartwood streaks, although all-heartwood boards turn up fairly often too. Sapwood ranges from white to a light pinkish tan, and heartwood is a deeper reddish brown.
The texture is fine and even, much like maple. Grain is mostly straight.
Working notes
Overall it is easy to cut with hand or machine tools, but planing quartersawn sections can occasionally tear out the rays. Turning, gluing and finishing are all trouble-free.
Aside from the usual risks of any wood dust, no other health reactions are linked to 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
Common uses include furniture, flooring, veneer, plywood, interior trim, carvings, pallets, crates and assorted small specialty 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?
Common uses include furniture, flooring, veneer, plywood, interior trim, carvings, pallets, crates and assorted small specialty 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?
The buying section on this page links to any London Plane Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.