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Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum)
1 hour care
per year
per year
25m
Max height
Max height
12m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 Years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Liquidambar styraciflua
Other names
Sweet gum, American red gum, American sweet gum, Bilsted, Copalm balsam, Red gum, Satin walnut
Genus
Liquidambar Liquidambar
Species
L. styraciflua - L. styraciflua is a mid-sized tree with palmate leaves that change to shades of reds, oranges and purples in autumn. This tree could be mistaken for an Acer however it has alternate leaves, whereas an Acer's leaves are opposite.
Liquidambar styraciflua is: Deciduous
Tree shape
Broadly conical
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Red, Purple, Orange in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 Years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance, Woodland, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in acid or neutral soil in full sun to partial shade, although autumn colour is often best in a sunny position. Soil should be moist but free-draining.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Liquidambar styraciflua
Other names
Sweet gum, American red gum, American sweet gum, Bilsted, Copalm balsam, Red gum, Satin walnut
Genus
Liquidambar Liquidambar
Species
L. styraciflua - L. styraciflua is a mid-sized tree with palmate leaves that change to shades of reds, oranges and purples in autumn. This tree could be mistaken for an Acer however it has alternate leaves, whereas an Acer's leaves are opposite.
Foliage
Deciduous
Tree shape
Broadly conical
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Colour
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Red, Purple, Orange in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 12m after 20-50 Years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Low Maintenance, Woodland, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in acid or neutral soil in full sun to partial shade, although autumn colour is often best in a sunny position. Soil should be moist but free-draining.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum)
Common pest name
Elm spanworm; Ennomid; white; Linden moth; snow-white
Scientific pest name
Ennomos subsignaria
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous moth pest which defoliates deciduous trees and; with repeated infestation; can cause tree death. Present in North America and current import requirements do not fully mitigate the risk of introduction. A PRA will help to assess the level of risk more fully.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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