Liquidambar

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Altingiaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Genus

Liquidambar

Species

styraciflua

Description

A second-sized broadleaf plant used for ornamental purposes. The elegance of its bearing as well as the striking and showy autumnal foliage, which takes on bright shades with golden reflections, confer high aesthetic and landscape value to outdoor spaces, both private and public, such as gardens, parks, large flower beds and street trees. It also adapts well to urban conditions by resisting pollution and performing an important ecological function in the absorption and storage of carbon dioxide.

Varietal description

Popular tree due to its appreciation of ornamental effect, adaptability and low maintenance. Of medium size and elegant habit, it has a slender ovoid crown with regular, loosely spaced branches. Shiny light green leaves in spring, turning orange-red in autumn. Discrete and insignificant flowering. Highly hardy and adaptable to various soil types and growing environments. It has proved to be well tolerant of urban climates, showing excellent resistance to both heat stress and de-icing salt. Requires a sunny exposure, but tolerates partially shaded areas. Tree that develops a medium-deep root system and prefers fresh, drained soils rich in organic matter; grows well in all soil types. Tree with excellent botanical and functional performance for various types of landscape use. It is suitable for use in park areas, in rows or small groups. Also suitable for, gardens, roof gardens and industrial and residential areas. Resistant to pathogens and does not require much pruning, which, however, must respect the architecture of the foliage form. Species with many varieties available in terms of habit and leaf colouration.

curiosity and special features

Both the generic term, Liquidambar, and the specific epithet, styraciflua, refer to the particular scented resin produced by the tree used in tanning, perfumery and aromatherapy.

Origin and Diffusion

A native species of North and Central America, it was introduced to Europe in the late 17th century by the naturalist J. Banister for ornamental purposes.

Leaf

The leaves, often fragrant, have palmate lamina.

Flowering period

It flowers, simultaneously with the emission of the first leaves, from mid- to late spring for a duration of 10 to 20 days, displaying both male and female flowers, from the latter, following fertilisation, the typical globular fruits (capsicones) are formed, which may hang on the branches until the following spring.

Leaf color

Two-coloured leaf that takes on shades in a broad colour spectrum, from purple-red to golden orange, in a scenic autumn foliage process.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 5 to 20 m, representing a second-sized tree.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous tree.

Suggested planting locations

Suitable for open-field cultivation Liquidambar is used for ornamental purposes to provide elegance and protection from the summer sun in both private and public outdoor spaces, including in urban areas such as gardens, parks and residential areas.

Stem/stem

The woody stem has bark that is at first grey and smooth and then takes on a dark grey-brown hue in adult specimens with deep longitudinal wrinkled cracks.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growth tree.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is erect and slender with expanded ovoid foliage.

branching

The branching developed is medium with regular, non-close branches.

pH

Like other ornamental trees, it prefers soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in early spring or late autumn, choose the most suitable location, depending on the needs of the plant, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third larger than the volume of roots or root ball, and also remove weeds and bulky pebbles. It is advisable to add sand if the soil is compact and poorly draining.

sun exposure

For proper growth, when transplanting, choose exposures in half shade, full sun and ensure adequate water supply during the hottest, sultry summers.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 5 and 30 °C.

Use

Due to the elegance of its vegetal architecture as well as the high ornamental value conferred by the autumnal foliage livery, it is appreciated as a tree in

Ornamental environment Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

A plant of medium to high hardiness, it adapts to different soil types and growing environments, including urban ones where it expresses excellent resistance to heat and de-icing salt.

Soil/medium

It adapts to different soil conditions, but the ideal soil for proper root and vegetative development is medium-textured, fresh, well-draining soil with a suitable organic matter content.

Maintenance

Easy to grow, it requires an overall average level of management effort once well established in the new planting site.

cultivation tips

Some specific tips and cultivation aspects to achieve the best growth and development performance:

Balanced fertilisation Can be planted in sunny or mid-shade beds.

planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to prune roots that are too long when transplanting and to slightly reduce ramifications if they are very dense in order to balance root system and foliage, proceed by positioning the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface.

pruning

Carry out regular pruning to shape the form and determine the structure of the crown as well as define the scaffolding of the branches. In addition, carry out small pruning operations to remove dried out or damaged parts.

Indiscriminate pruning of stems and branches by means of 'pruning' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents as well as to a greater danger of failure of the entire specimen.

Reproduction/Propagation

Propagation is by seed and cuttings.

Irrigation

After planting, water the soil well and assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent desiccation by watering in quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilization

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation with balanced granular fertiliser for ornamental plants. After planting in the new planting site, carry out balanced fertilisation during the spring-summer period, without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

Edibility for humans

Species ornamental, not edible.

advise 1

Tree with a regular and balanced growth habit. The thinned branching allows medium but sufficient shade for discreet protection. Requires little post-planting work: only emergency irrigation in summer. The colour variation from summer to autumn gives it an elegant and aesthetically pleasing effect in garden, park or terrace areas.