Liquidambar styraciflua

Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua
Family: Hamamelidacea ~ witch hazel
Common name: Liquidambar/Sweet gum
Lab number: 1
Sunset page: 416-417
EBMUD page:

Plant info

Etymology:
Related species/genera:
Origin & Habitat:

Appearance and attributes

Size and growth rate

H: 60'
W:20-25'
Average

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Plant form

Conical

Texture

Coarse, med-coarse, medium, med-fine, fine, other

Noteworthy characteristics

Fall color

Leaf

Five to seven lobed leaves are deep green in spring and summer turning to purple yellow or red in fall.

Fruit

Hanging seed pods (1 1/2")  are spiky pods reminiscent of tiny medieval maces. 

Cultural Issues and Care

Exposure

Coastal and/or Inland: full sun

Water

Moderate

Soil preferences

Well-drained, prefers moist, prefers dry, prefers clay, prefers loam, prefers sandy, prefers acid, prefers alkaline, all types, tolerates moist, tolerates dry, tolerates clay, tolerates loam, tolerates sandy, tolerates acid, tolerates alkaline

Fertilizer

--

Cultural tolerances

Smog/dust

Cultural challenges

Excess litter, pavement buster

Propogation

Seeds

Pest & diseases

--

Pruning

None required

Sunset zones

3-9, 14-24

Hardiness

Landscape uses

Landscape uses

Attracts birds, street tree, fall color

Companion plants

Effect

Reference pages

ACSC:
CNP:
DNG:
FSC:
HMP:
MC:
PCRR:

Cultivars