Liquidambar styraciflua Slender Silhouette - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette' is a variety of Sweetgum obtained in America. This Liquidambar is the only variety with a narrow, columnar habit! Small in size, it forms a perfect, dense column, suitable for small gardens. Its deciduous foliage is bright green and then turns yellow to reddish-purple in autumn. It is a versatile and ornamental tree. Use it as a specimen tree, in rows, as accents in shrub borders and to mark entrances. Hardy everywhere, plant it in deep, moderately chalky soil that is moist but not waterlogged. It appreciates sunny and sheltered positions protected from cold winds.

The Sweetgum is a tree in the family Hamamelidaceae, which includes many plants beautifully coloured in autumn such as Witch Hazels, Parrotias, and Loropetalums. This majestic tree is native to North America, specifically the banks of large rivers such as the Mississippi and Ohio. Its name, Liquidambar, comes from the Latin word "liquidus", meaning liquid, and the Arabic word "ambar", which means amber, referring to the aromatic amber-coloured resin that flows from its bark. Discovered in 1528, it was introduced to Europe in 1681. In its natural habitat, it is often found growing alongside poplars and oaks.

The 'Slender Silhouette' cultivar is a new variety obtained by Don Shadow in Tennessee, United States, and reaches a height of 5m (16ft) with a spread of 1m (3.3ft) in our gardens. It has fast growth and reaches its mature size in 10 years. Its deciduous foliage is beautiful and is the main attraction of the species. It consists of palmate leaves, 10 to 18cm (3.9 to 7.1in) long, divided into 5 slender lobes, with the central lobe longer than the others. The finely-toothed leaves are arranged alternately on the branches. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in April on plants aged 25 years and older, in the form of pendant globose clusters measuring 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2in) in diameter. After pollination, pom-pom-like fruits develop, resembling those of the plane tree. Each fruit is composed of several capsules containing small winged seeds, similar to maple seeds. The bark of the sweetgum is dark brown and corky. The lifespan of this beautiful tree is approximately 150 years.

The 'Slender Silhouette' sweetgum is perfectly hardy. This tree requires a non-chalky, deep, moist but not waterlogged soil, and a sunny exposure. It can tolerate temporary flooding. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be planted as a standalone tree on a lawn, in rows along a path, or as a boundary tree. The Liquidambar styraciflua is commonly found in parks, where it stands out with its stunning autumn colours. You can combine it with other small colourful trees and shrubs such as Ginkgo Biloba, Corylopsis, Nyssa sylvatica, large Japanese maples, Witch Hazels, and hazelnuts, which thrive in similar cool environments with 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 then, upon its arrival in Europe, by cosmetic manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as beauty creams. The reddish-brown wood of the sweetgum is renowned for its scent and was widely used in cabinetmaking for the production of precious furniture.