Some see a wrecker but the London plane is a 'brilliant tree' for Canberra

They have been derided as "wreckers" whose roots wreak havoc on pavements and paths, and they have been blamed, sometimes unfairly, for causing allergic reactions.

But by the time the light rail extension is finished, more than 100 London plane trees will have been planted in Canberra's city centre in a move seemingly at odds with the government's plan to use the species sparingly.

Urban forestry expert Cris Brack, with mature London plane trees in Canberra on Wednesday, says the species is a brilliant choice for Canberra. Picture by Karleen Minney