Liquidambar styraciflua ( American Sweetgum ) is a popular ornamental tree that is native to North and Central America. Not only is it one of the most valuable forest trees in the world, the American Sweetgum is also one of the prettiest. Beautiful star-shaped leaves that go from green in the Spring to a stunning orange and red during the Autumn. An added bonus is that they grow in a wide range of climates.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Dry, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as Hazel Pine, Satin Walnut, Alligator wood, Redgum and simply Sweetgum.
Growth
Liquidambar styraciflua is a deciduous tree that reaches heights of up to 21 metres (70 feet). American Sweetgum has a wide range of climatic preferences. The native range includes temperate regions such as North Carolina, USA to sub-tropical to tropical areas in Mexico. Nurseries in Victoria, Western Australia and in the far north of Queensland have little trouble keeping and supplying these beautiful trees.
Compared to most trees, American Sweetgum is easy to germinate from seed. They require a short period of only 4 weeks cold storage to break the seeds dormancy. After four weeks in the fridge seeds start sprouting from around 3-4 weeks. Not only is the seed starting period short, the tree itself grows relatively quickly and begins to produce seeds from around 3-5 years of age.
Leaves are the main attraction of the Sweetgums with their star-shaped five points. They make a striking tree during Spring and Summer but really come alive during the Autumn as they start changing colour. At some stages the trees light up to a bright maple-like red. But unlike the maples, they adapt to a wider range of climates bringing the stunning colour changes to warmer climates.
FAMILY:
Altingiaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Warm Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10°C to 25°C / -14 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 21 metres (70 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (30 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
N/A
GERMINATION TIME:
4 weeks cold stratification + 3-4 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 140
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes. The dried sap.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA (American Sweetgum)
In Australia, American Sweetgums have adapted to climates in all states. Their ability to withstand cold temperatures down to -10°C / 14°F qualifies them for regions such as Canberra. But they also adapt to the drier regions as well as the warmer humid areas such as in Queensland.
The earliest record of the species is by a Spanish naturalist Francisco Hernandez that was published in 1615. He described the species as a large tree producing a fragrant gum resembling liquid amber.
The species was introduced into Europe in 1681 by John Banister and was planted in the palace gardens in Fulham, England.
