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Liquidambar formosana

Liquidambar formosana

Chinese sweet gum, Formosan gum

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Description

Liquidambar formosana (Chinese sweet gum, Formosan gum) is found in Southern China, South Korea, Laos, Vietnam and Taiwan. In these areas the tree can attain a height of thirty to forty metres; in cultivation, this usually stays limited to approximately twenty-five metres tall and fifteen metres wide. The rare Liquidambar formosana has a broadly pyramidal crown with dense branching. The trunk will eventually fork high into the tree and consequently the upright main trunk does not extend right up to the top. In 1884, the Chinese sweet gum was first introduced in Kew Gardens, United Kingdom. 

At the end of April or early May the Chinese sweet gum bears unremarkable yellow-green flowers. After flowering the species bears upright bristly capsules typical for the Liquidambar. The tree is also recognisable by the 3-lobed leaf which has a conspicuous, finely serrated edge. The foliage emerges bronze and changes to a matt-shiny dark green in the summer and has a hairy underside and petiole. Liquidambar formosana has lovely autumn colour in different shades of red-violet, orange-red and deep dark red. This can be enjoyed for a long time as the leaf stays on the tree well into winter. The juvenile stem or trunk is erect, smooth and grey and as it matures the tree assumes a darker, grooved bark. Liquidambar formosana has downy hairy twigs which are firstly olive green and later red-brown.

Liquidambar formosana is reasonably sensitive to wind and frost. In a sheltered site in nutrient-rich and moist soil the species forms a beautiful, interesting eye-catching specimen for a park or large garden, for example. The Chinese sweet gum - thanks to its wide, dense crown shape - is perfect for using as shade planting. Plant Liquidambar formosana in a sunny spot for the most attractive autumnal colour.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees

Use

Location

avenue park central reservation large garden cemetery

Pavement

none none open open

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide pyramidal wide pyramidal

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

15 - 25 m

Width

10 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

7A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist wet

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral

Extreme environments

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Liquidambar formosana? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Liquidambar formosana standard tree
feathered feathered
Liquidambar formosana feathered
feathered feathered
Liquidambar formosana feathered
leaves leaves
Liquidambar formosana leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar formosana leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar formosana leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar formosana leaves
leaves leaves
Liquidambar formosana leaves
fruits fruits
Liquidambar formosana fruits
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Liquidambar formosana autumn leaves

Flowers

Flowers

discrete

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze dark green

Leaves

deciduous palmate matt polished underside hairy laciniate serrate lobate

Autumn colour

orange-red dark red red-violet

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown green

Fruits

striking capsule

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown olive green

Twigs

hairy with lenticels

Root system

Root system

deep shallow extensive highly branched clinging aerial roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
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OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
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Bark colour
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Special features
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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