Liquidambar formosana

Liquidambar formosana Autumn (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist but well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Altingiaceae

Liquidambar formosana Leaf (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Liquidambar formosana is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate with three lobes and serrate margins, up to 15cm long and 15cm broad. Its leaves turn red/ orange/ yellow in autumn before they fall. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m. Its grey bark is corky in texture. Its green flowers are monoecious, being held separately on male and female branches.  The fruit is spiky, globose, initially green maturing to brown and up to 5cm long. The roots of this tree are shallow rooting.

Liquidambar formosana Autumn Leaf (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Liquidambar formosana, commonly known as Chinese Sweetgum or  Formosan Sweetgum, is Native to the East Asia including central and south China, Taiwan and Indochina. In its native habitat it grows moist mixed woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Liquidambar was given to it by Hernandez in reference to its aromatic gum, which he described as ‘liquid amber’. Formosana is derived from the former name of Taiwan, Formosa.

The landscape architect may find Liquidambar formosana useful as a specimen tree with attractive autumn colour. It should be noted, due to the shallow rooting nature of this tree it may lift paving or cause maintenance issues in areas of grass.

Liquidambar formosana Bark (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Liquidambar formosana flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees.

Liquidambar formosana prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Liquidambar formosana requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning  should be carried out in late autumn or winter.



Landscape Architecture

Liquidambar orientalis

Liquidambar orientalis (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist but well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Altingiaceae

Liquidambar orientalis is a slow growing deciduous tree with a bushy, conical habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate with five lobes, up to 10cm long and 10cm broad. Its leaves turn red/ orange/ yellow in autumn before they fall. Its grey bark is corky in texture. Its cream/ green flowers are monoecious, being held separately on male and female branches.  The fruit is spiky, globose, initially green maturing to brown and up to 3.5cm long.

Liquidambar orientalis Autumn Leaf (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Liquidambar orientalis, commonly known as Oriental Sweetgum, Turkish Sweetgum or Storax, is Native to the east Meddeteranian region. In its native habitat it grows in flood plains, marshes and stream valley sides.

The etymological root of the binomial name Liquidambar was given to it by Hernandez in reference to its aromatic gum, which he described as ‘liquid amber’. Orientalis is from the Latin meaning ‘from the East’.

The landscape architect may find Liquidambar orientalis useful as a small specimen tree providing attractive autumn colour.

Ecologically, Liquidambar orientalis will cater for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera.

Liquidambar orientalis Bark (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Liquidambar orientalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Liquidambar orientalis requires little maintenance.  Removal of dead and damaged material should be carried out in late autumn or winter.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidambar styraciflua (03/07/2015, Walworth, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist but well drained.

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 12m

Hardiness: USDA Zone 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Altingiaceae

Liquidambar styraciflua autumn (01/11/2011, London)

Liquidambar styraciflua is a deciduous tree with a broadly conical habit. It has interesting ‘winged’ shoots, which persist on the smaller twigs giving them a very distinctive appearance. It foliage is palmate, similar to that of a Maple, with five or seven lobes and a glossy mid-green in colour becoming orange then red and purple in autumn. The leaves will also give off a sweet scent when crushed. This tree is monoecious and its green inflorescence is yellow in spring, held separately on male and female branches and can be intermittent in Britain.  The fruit is spiky, green and globose.

Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as Sweetgum, is Native to North America and Mexico. Liquidambar genus was first described by Spanish naturalist Hernandez but was introduced to Britain by the missionary plant hunter John Bannister in 1681. The common name was give to it because when the bark is cut a sweet liquid is exuded, this liquid has been used in perfume

Liquidambar styraciflua Leaf (03/07/2015, Walworth, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Liquidambar was given to it by Hernandez in reference to its aromatic gum, which he described as ‘liquid amber’. Styraciflua is derived from the Latin storax meaning ‘sweet gum’ and flua meaning ‘flowing’ also in reference to its aromatic gum.

The landscape architect may find Liquidambar styraciflua useful as a beautiful specimen tree providing beautiful autumn colour. This tree is a good street tree due to its upright habit and tolerance of urban pollution.

Liquidambar styraciflua autumn leaf (01/11/2011, London)

Popular cultivars of this plant include Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Lane Roberts’ which has deep green foliage that turns a blackened crimson in autumn and styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ whose five lobed foliage turns a deep orange and yellow in autumn.

Liquidambar styraciflua prefers acidic or neutral soils. It tolerates clay, loam or sand based soils. It may be placed in a sheltered or exposed location facing any aspect.

Ecologically,  Liquidambar styraciflua will cater for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera. Birds and other animals will occasionally inhabit its canopy.

Liquidambar styraciflua Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the cultivars Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ and Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Lane Roberts’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Liquidambar styraciflua requires little maintenance.  Removal of dead and damaged material should be carried out in late autumn or winter.



Landscape Architecture