Liquidambar styraciflua single stem tree in pot

Liquidambar styraciflua Sweet Gum tree clump

Liquidambar styraciflua mature sweet gum tree with 14-16cmg

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Liquidambar styraciflua Tree

Name: Liquidambar styraciflua Tree
Brand: Ornamental Trees
SKU: LS.SS.10.1
Price: 90.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

American Sweet Gum

From £90

From £90 ~~£90~~

Save 15% on All Trees! Ends 31 Oct 🍂 Use code GROW15

Final size 10 x 6 metres in 20 years

Foliage Lobed leaves with autumn colour (deciduous)

Soil Moist but well-draining

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Product Details

Planting & Care

Delivery Information

Description

The Sweet Gum family are unrivaled in their autumn colour displays. Liquidambar styraciflua boasts large, deeply lobed star shaped foliage that is a glossy, mid-green throughout the spring and summer. When autumn arrives the leaves turn vivid reds and oranges in a breath taking display. The bark is corky and fissured giving an interesting texture that is popular with children for bark rubbings.

Liquidambar styraciflua is a medium sized, slow growing tree with an upright habit and will reach 10 x 6 metres in 20 years. It prefers a position in moist to well-drained soil in full sun where possible. Originating from the USA, it is often called an American Red Gum due to its red autumn colour and it is certainly one of our favourites for striking autumn colour.

AKA Sweet Gum tree, American Red Gum, American Sweet Gum, Alligator tree

Planting Steps

1Preparation

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

Water generously around the base of the plant.
If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Trees and shrubs require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

MAINLAND UK — excluding remote locations
Small trees & shrubs*: £12 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £35 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £65 for 1 or more

REMOTE UK LOCATIONS — including Scottish Highlands & Islands
Small trees & shrubs*: £35 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £65 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £120 for 1 or more

*Small trees & shrubs are typically supplied in pots up to 15 litres.
Additional remote-location surcharges may apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to make delivery of live plants to Northern Ireland or any countries outside of the UK.

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