Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
Common Name: Liquidambar / American Sweet Gum

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Deciduous
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour :  
Foliage Colour : Green changing to purple,
red, orange and yellow
Best Season : Late summer to autumn
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Hardy
Attributes :  
Height (m) :  13
Spread (m) : 6
    
Notes: In autumn, the maple-like leaves of the liquidambar change from glossy green to deep purple, and then progress through shades of red, orange and yellow until it seems to be clothed in a cloak of flames. In winter, its corky, furrowed bark is an at­tractive feature. Although it’s usually grown as a shade tree, the liquidambar can also be used as a background or avenue tree. In its home country, the USA, it is known as sweet gum, because its resin was once used to make chewing gum.

 

The liquidambar grows best in regions with good summer rains and cool to very cold winters. It can be grown in warmer, drier places, including the winter-rainfall regions, but it is not suited to hot, humid conditions. In warmer areas, it may not turn its intense autumn shades.

 

Plant in deep, fertile soil in a sunny position, allowing room for the tree to grow. It will need protection from strong winds. Water well until established. It may need summer watering in drier regions.