Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'

Description: One of the very best trees for autumn colour. A gorgeous tree, with large, star-like, shiny, bright green leaves which turn brilliant purple, then shades of vibrant red, orange and yellow in the autumn. 'Worplesdon' has a pyramidal shape and although it grows slowly. This cultivar has more distinctive star shaped leaves and exceptional colour.

Uses: Not suitable for a small garden, as it is long-lived and will eventually grow to 25 metres. Grow it either as a specimen tree in grass, or as the centrepiece to a woodland glade.

Climate/Position: Grown in full sun the plants will colour the best.

Height/Spread: 15 x 12 metres but eventually height up to 25 metres.

Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil will ensure the plants colour best in the autumn.

Pruning: Requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter.

Special Requirements:

Additional Interest: The sweet gum are so called because of the sweet smell to the leaves when crushed. Additional features are the deeply ribbed and corky bark which provide winter interest and the hanging round seed-ball sometimes produced in autumn.  This cultivar was first raised at Worplesdon in Surrey.