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Trees

Liquidambar poilanei

A small, well-branched, shapely tree or large shrub, with broadly elliptic finely serrated dark green, parchment-like leaves and large, globose, pitted seed capsules

Synonyms

Altingia poilanei

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
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: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in neutral to acid, moderately fertile soil, in full sun or partial shade in a very sheltered position with protection from frost. Needs a frost-free location outdoors or greenhouse cultivation. See tree cultivation and overwinter in a greenhouse for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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