Liquidambar styraciflua – Sweet Gum

One of the best trees for autumn colour, Liquidambar styraciflua is a large, slow-growing deciduous tree with a pyramidal crown and attractive grey, fissured bark. Twigs and branches sometimes have corky ‘wings’. The leaves are mid-green and glossy with 5-7 lobes, like a maple’s; in autumn they turn brilliant shades of purple, crimson and orange. Inconspicuous flowers in spring are followed by spiky balls of seed capsules, looking like burrs 1-1 ½” (2.5-3.5cm) across. Magnificent specimen tree for the large garden. Easy to grow, but will not thrive on chalky soils or in extremely cold areas. Tolerates urban pollution.

Site: Tolerates some exposure
Soil: Any reasonably well-drained, acid or neutral soil, preferably moist
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Spring, summer, autumn
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: Eventually 65’ (20m) Spread: 33-50’ (10-15m)