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Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidambar styraciflua

American sweetgum, sweet gum, hazel pine, American-storax, bilsted, red-gum, satin-walnut, star-leaved gum, alligator-wood

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Description

Liquidambar styraciflua (American sweetgum) is native to the eastern United States and grows in river and stream valleys. The English missionary John Bannister introduced the tree as a young plant in 1681. In its original distribution area, the American sweetgum can reach heights of over 45 metres, but in cultivation it usually does not grow up to more than 20 or 25 metres. Liquidambar styraciflua is a strong grower and is not affected by any diseases or pests in Europe.

In mid-April, the American sweetgum blossoms with discrete, single yellow-green spikes. The pentalobate, laciniate, palmate leaves become a glossy green and are scented with contusion. From September onwards, the tree bears small, brown-green capsules that stay on the tree for a long time. Liquidambar styraciflua has a lovely gradient of autumn colours, from deep red with yellow to orange to red-violet. The bark is light grey and furrowed, and the branches have characteristic cork.

The American sweetgum does grow in coastal areas, but does not thrive there. Salty winds damage its leaves. Its wind tolerance is variable: in dry soil, the tree produces a taproot to reinforce it against the wind, while in wetter soil, the tree only grows superficial roots and thus cannot tolerate much wind. Liquidambar styraciflua can easily handle short periods of heat, drought and flooding, as well as salt spray and pavement. Plant the tree in a sunny area for the most beautiful growth and in nutrient-rich, moist soil, with an acidic to neutral pH value.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees shade trees characteristic trees

Topiary on stem

fval roof-trained fval vase fval espalier fval pleached

Topiary

espalier espalier pleached pleached

Use

Location

street avenue square park central reservation large garden cemetery bioswale

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

climate planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

egg-shaped egg-shaped

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

15 - 20 m

Width

15 - 18 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 10B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerates air pollution tolerates heat tolerant to short-term flooding

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Liquidambar styraciflua? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar styraciflua standard tree
feathered feathered
Liquidambar styraciflua feathered
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Liquidambar styraciflua multi-stem
roof-trained roof-trained
Liquidambar styraciflua roof-trained
roof-trained roof-trained
Liquidambar styraciflua roof-trained
leaves leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua leaves
fruits fruits
Liquidambar styraciflua fruits
fruits fruits
Liquidambar styraciflua fruits
fruits fruits
Liquidambar styraciflua fruits
fruits fruits
Liquidambar styraciflua fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua autumn leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liquidambar styraciflua autumn leaves
bark bark
Liquidambar styraciflua bark
bark bark
Liquidambar styraciflua bark
bark bark
Liquidambar styraciflua bark
twigs twigs
Liquidambar styraciflua twigs
twigs twigs
Liquidambar styraciflua twigs
twigs twigs
Liquidambar styraciflua twigs

Seasonal colours

Liquidambar styraciflua seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

spikes heads discrete singular

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

green

Leaves

deciduous palmate fleshy polished scented with contusion laciniate

Autumn colour

yellow-orange orange-red red-violet

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown

Fruits

striking small capsule

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown green

Twigs

corky

Root system

Root system

deep shallow extensive highly branched fleshy roots tap root roots push up surface on own root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Location
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OK
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OK
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Types of planting
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Multi-stemmed trees
OK
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Topiary on stem
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Aspects
Wind
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Soil
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PH range
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Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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