Liquidambar

Liquidambar is the botanical name for the Sweet Gum trees. L. styraciflua is a native of eastern North America. It can grow up to a height of 100 to 130 feet. The leaves of this tree are arranged alternately on the branches. They are star-shaped with usually five (sometimes seven), pointed lobes, which are finely toothed. When crushed, the leaves emit a pleasant scent. The tops of the leaves are bright green and smooth and the undersides are paler. They grow from 4 to 7 inches long. The Sweet Gum tree is also known by other common names including Redgum, Star-leaved Gum, Bilsted, Alligator-wood, and Liquidambar. This tree is pyramidal in growth with branches growing low down on the trunk. When growing in forests, however, the trunk tends to be free of branches until higher up when it forms a rather small, lofty crown. This tree is a real beauty in the fall when the foliage changes to shades of red, orange and bronze before falling. The wood of this tree is important; it is known as Red or Yellow Gum, according to the color. It is heavy, hard and close-grained, but not very strong. It is widely used for furniture, cabinet making, interior finish, and a number of other things. American storax, a balsam or viscid resin with medicinal uses, is obtained from the tree. There are two other varieties in cultivation, but these are not very hardy. L. orientalis, the Oriental Sweet Gum, is a native of Asia Minor. Liquid storax is obtained from this tree. It is a balsam used in medicine for the alleviation of certain chest ailments and in the treatment of certain skin diseases; it is also used in the manufacture of perfumes. L. formosana is a native of China and is only hardy in the southern U.S.

Pot Cultivation

Sweet Gums need deep, moist soil that has been improved with leaf mold or peat moss. They need deep soil because their roots grow long. They are excellent for growing near rivers and in bottom lands where the soil is wet. They will also tolerate living near the sea, though they should be provided with shelter from wind. Trees that are bought balled and burlapped should be planted in the spring. Sweet Gums may be pruned during the winter.

Propagation

Seeds may be used to increase these trees or cuttings of short shoots may be inserted in sand in a frame, in the summer.

L. orientalis

VARIETIES

• L. styraciflua & var. Burgundy, Festival, Palo Alto;
• L. orientalis;
• L. formosana.