Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'
sweet gum 'Worplesdon'
A deciduous tree with a branching pyramidal habit, growing to about 20m tall. Deeply divided, maple-like, rich green leaves with long narrow lobes, turn to shades of orange and yellow in autumn. Insignificant late spring flowers are reliably followed by spiky fruit capsules in autumn. Branches develop a corky, winged appearance with age
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Orange Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour; flowers and fruits are inconspicuous
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid, moderately fertile soil, in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for woodlands or as a specimen tree. Full sun brings out the best autumn colour - see tree cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
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