Liquidambar formosana

Liquidambar formosana or Formosan gum is an ornamental tree known for its tall, slender pyramid shape and beautiful divided foliage that turns purple and fiery red at the end of summer. Its 15 cm (5.9 in) wide leaves are less deeply cut than those of American Sweetgums and have three ovate and pointed lobes. In autumn, the new shoots and the rest of the foliage showcase spectacular colours, ranging from deep purple to crimson red. This species prefers a location in full sun or partial shade, sheltered from cold winds. It does not tolerate dry or waterlogged soils, so it should be planted in deep, rich, moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Reaching a mature height of only 15 m in our regions, it is a collectible tree that is perfect for enhancing a solitary spot in a medium to large garden.

The Chinese Sweetgum, also known as Formosan Sweetgum, is a tree belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae, which includes many plants with beautifully coloured autumn foliage such as Witch Hazels, Parrotia, and Loropetalum. This majestic tree is native to Eastern Asia, specifically to warm, temperate forests where it thrives in cool, moist soils in full sun or partial shade. Its name, Liquidambar, comes from the Latin word "liquidus", meaning liquid, and the Arabic word "ambar", meaning amber, referring to the aromatic amber-coloured resin that exudes from its bark. Due to its exceptional autumn foliage and majestic habit, it is widely used as an ornamental tree in cities, parks, and large gardens.

Liquidambar formosana is a large, slow-growing tree that will typically reach a mature height of 15 m in our gardens. Over time, it develops a very upright trunk topped with a dense, pyramidal crown, with a base diameter of about 10 m. In this variety, the lateral branches are harmoniously arranged perpendicular to the trunk. The deciduous foliage is the main feature of this tree. It consists of palmate leaves, 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long, divided into 3 lobes that are initially ovate and then triangular, with the central lobe longer than the others. The finely-toothed leaves are arranged alternately on the branches. They are medium green and turn dark purple to crimson red in autumn. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in April on trees aged 25 years and older, in the form of upright male catkins separate from the female pendant glomerules measuring 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) in diameter. After pollination, pom-pom-like fruits similar to those of plane trees are formed. Each fruit is composed of several capsules that contain small winged seeds, similar to maple samaras. The bark of the liquidambar is dark brown with corky crevices. The lifespan of this beautiful tree is about 150 years.

The Chinese Sweetgum is hardy down to -15°C. This tree requires a non-chalky, deep, moist but not waterlogged soil, and a sunny to partially shaded exposure. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be planted as a solitary specimen on a large lawn or in rows along a grand avenue or property boundary. The Liquidambar formosana is commonly found in parks, where it stands out for its superb autumn colours. It can be paired with other colourful trees such as Ginkgo Biloba, Toona sinensis Flamingo, Nyssa sylvatica, large Japanese maples, Witch Hazels, and bald cypresses, which thrive in similar cool environments and deep soils.

Properties:

The aromatic resin exuded by the bark is also known as styrax or liquidambar balm. It was once used in aromatherapy, primarily by indigenous populations, and later, when it arrived in Europe, by cosmetic manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as beauty creams. The wood of the liquidambar, with its reddish-brown colour, is renowned for its scent and was widely used in cabinetmaking for the production of precious furniture.