Is a liquid amber a good tree?
Liquidambar styraciflua, or Sweet Gum, is one of the finest trees for autumn colour. Introduced from its native Eastern USA in the 17th century, it won the equivalent of the Award of Garden Merit in 1975. Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Sweet gum roots are highly invasive, often growing near the soil surface and damaging sidewalks, pavements, and other infrastructure. The species also produces prolific hard, round fruits that litter the ground and are often a tripping hazard.Liquidambar styraciflua L. ALTINGIACEAE, popularly known as sweet gum or alligator tree, is an aromatic tree with a natural distribution in North America and acclimated in Brazil. In traditional medicine, L. L is used for the treatment of stomach disorders, wounds, and coughs.
Can you keep a liquid amber tree small?
Liquidambar styraciflua is a large tree but can be kept small with pruning (in a large pot for example) and is also ideal for bonsai. The palmately lobed leaves are bronze in Spring, green in the Summer and turn to a spectacular orange and red late Autumn. This allows the Liquidambar styraciflua to really stand out as they are usually the last large tree to turn color and drop their leaves.
Where is the best place to plant a liquid amber tree?
It’s best to plant Liquidambars in large, open spaces like a paddock or park. If it’s lifting pavers and damaging structural surfaces, it’s best to consult an aborist who can advise on the best way to contain or remove the tree. They tend to become chlorotic in more alkaline soils. They are tolerant of lawn water or conditions with limited summer water. Liquidambar does best as a street tree; it forms surface roots that can be annoying in lawns.
Why is it called a liquid amber tree?
The generic name, Liquidambar, means, literally, liquid amber and refers to the pleasant-tasting resin that the tree exudes when you peel away the deeply furrowed bark. It was once used commercially for making soaps, adhesives and drugs. In addition to oil, the leaves of the Liquidambar trees have antimicrobial properties. Terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, α-pinene, and sabinene from leaf oil have the most important chemicals for providing antibacterial feature [19].