Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' is a variety of American Sweetgum selected for its more regular habit and its autumn colours that are more stable and reliable from one year to the next. It is a beautiful deciduous tree that is also appreciated for the balsamic fragrance of its leaves, and its resistance to rainy and cold climates in northern and western Europe. Its discreet spring flowering is followed by the formation of spiky fruits in the shape of spheres that remain decorative on the tree for a long time. The bark of this tree is also interesting, adorned with original cork lines.

American Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' is a horticultural creation by George Jackmann & Son (GB) dating back to 1968. It is a tree of the witch-hazel family, which includes many beautifully coloured plants in autumn such as Witch Hazel, Parrotia, and Loropetalum. The species is a majestic tree native to North America, specifically from the banks of large rivers such as the Mississippi and Ohio, for example. Its name, Liquidambar, comes from the Latin "liquidus", meaning liquid, and the Arabic "ambar", which means amber, due to the aromatic amber-coloured oleoresin that flows from its bark. Discovered in 1528, it was introduced to Europe in 1681.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' has a more conical habit than the species, which adds to its appeal. Similarly, its leaves reliably change colour every autumn and are firmly attached to the branches, making them less susceptible to wind. With a moderate growth rate, this variety reaches about 12m (39ft) in height and 4-5m (13-16ft) in width at maturity. It develops a very vertical trunk and a dense crown with a distinctly conical and semi-open habit, which is well-regulated. The deciduous foliage, appearing late in spring, is the main asset of this tree. It consists of palmate leaves, long and wide, measuring 10 to 12cm (6.7in), divided into 5 to 9 finely toothed triangular lobes, arranged alternately on the branches. Dark green in colour, they turn yellow, orange, and red in autumn. The discreet flowering occurs in April on subjects aged 25 years and older, in the form of erect male catkins separate from the female flowers, in the shape of pendulous glomerules measuring 2 to 3cm (1.2in) in diameter. After pollination, pompom-like fruits similar to those of plane trees are formed. Each fruit consists of several capsules containing small winged seeds, similar to maple samaras. The bark of the liquidambar is dark brown in colour, with corky crevices. The lifespan of this beautiful tree is approximately 150 years.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' is perfectly hardy. This tree requires a non-limestone, deep, and moist soil without being waterlogged, and a sunny exposure. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be installed either as an isolated specimen on a large lawn or in alignment along a grand avenue or property boundary. The American Sweetgum can be found in parks, where it stands out with its superb autumn colours. You can associate it with other colourful trees such as Ginkgo biloba, Toona sinensis 'Flamingo', Nyssa sylvatica, and bald cypress, which thrive in similar cool environments and deep soils. Together, they will create a fireworks display in autumn, evoking the Indian summer admired in Canada and the United States.

Properties:

The aromatic resin exuded by the bark is also called styrax or liquidambar balm. It was formerly used in aromatherapy, primarily by indigenous populations, and later, upon its arrival in Europe, by cosmetics manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as milks or beauty creams. The wood of the liquidambar, with its reddish-brown colour, renowned for its fragrance and mechanical qualities, was widely used in cabinetry for the production of fine furniture.