Overview
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' is a medium sized, award winning ornamental specimen boasting stunning autumn foliage.
Description
Sweet gum trees are hardy specimens, prized for their stunning, maple like leaves and autumnal display. Whether planted as individuals or as a group they make a fabulous feature in most planting schemes.
The delicate leaves of this cultivar are palmate with five, deep lobes. They range in colour through the seasons emerging as yellow and green in the spring, remaining green through the summer and revealing a spectacular finale of orange, yellow and claret red in the autumn.
Male and female flowers are present on each tree. The male flowers hang in clusters while the female flower appears as a dense rounded head. Both flower types are an additional attractive feature.
The form of the tree is pyramidal, and it can be expected to reach up to 20m in height at maturity.
Planting Position
The Worplesdon cultivar is tolerant of any aspect and grows well on loam, clay and sand. It does not like chalky soils or dry situations. It has a preference for an acidic or neutral soil pH although has been reported growing well on alkaline soils.
Given its ultimate height and spread, which can be in excess of 10m at the base of the crown, consideration needs to be given to its chosen location, however it makes a fabulous parkland tree and would suit any large garden.
Attributes
The main attributes of this tree are its vibrant foliage and colouring. In addition it has a very pleasing form and is a stunning ornamental.
Container options are available here
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' | Sweet Gum Tree | Bare Root
Whilst smaller trees are often cheaper, easier to handle and more forgiving in terms of their level of care required, a more mature tree can provide a fantastic instant impact if you are able to care for it over the first few years.
- Standard or Feathered?
Standard trees - have a clear stem up to a minimum of 1.8m and a well-formed head of branches.
Feathered trees - Usually has an upright central leader and side brancehs that emerge down the main stem.
- Which Girth Size Should I Choose?
Our most common sizes we offer are relatively easy to ship and plant. The measurement is the circumference of the trunk at 1m above the roots.
6-8cm girth - 2.50m to 2.75m in height
8-10cm girth - 2.75m to 3.00m in height
- Standard or Feathered?
