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Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweetgum

The glossy long-stalked deep green leaves have toothed margins and take on brilliant shades of yellow, orange, purple, and red in the fall. Yellow-green flowers give way to the "gumballs", which are hard, spherical, bristly fruit clusters. Branchlets on this tree may have distinctive corky ridges.

  • »  Densely branched pyramidal crown, becoming oval with maturity
  • »  Branchlets may have distinctive corky ridges
  • »  Lobed, glossy green leaves turn spectacular yellows, oranges, purples and reds in the fall
  • »  Clusters of yellow-green flowers appear simultaneously with the leaves
  • »  Spherical bristly fruit clusters commonly persist into late winter
  • »  Bloom Time: Spring

1gal
$32.25
2gal
$46.50
10gal Low Inventory
$264.00
15gal
$306.00
  • Category:Trees
  • Hardiness Zone:5b
  • Height:20-25 m
  • Spread:18-20 m
  • Bloom Color: Yellow
Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture
Moist to Average
Well-drained
Growth Rate
Medium
Slow
Attributes
Deciduous
Fall Color
Fruit
Salt Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Flowering Time
Spring
Habit
Pyramidal
Rounded
Tree form
Upright
Foliage Color
Green
Maroon
Orange
Purple
Yellow
Landscape uses
Screening (privacy)
Specimen
Planting instructions
Container Plants
Additional Information about Liquidambar styraciflua

The common name refers to the "gum" which seeps from bark wounds. This "gum" has been historically used for a variety of purposes, including chewing gum, incense, perfumes, folk medicines and flavourings.

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidambar styraciflua is almost native to our area.

An excellent ornamental shade tree with brilliant fall colour, suitable for a wide range of locations, including typically wetter areas. Shows best fall colour in a slightly acidic soil.