Interest in sweetgum has been aroused. Now a specimen is to be planted that is really top notch. But finding your way in the world of numerous strains can be a real challenge…

The best known is the American sweetgum tree

The most famous sweetgum tree: the American sweetgum tree

In principle, it is advisable to only plant the American sweetgum tree in this country. It is the only species that is hardy. You can also find it under the name Liquidambar styraciflua. It withstands temperatures down to -24 °C (in protected locations) without any problems.

Lesser known species

The other 3 species are much less well known. Here they are listed with their areas of origin:

  • Taiwanese sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana): Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, China
  • Chinese sweetgum (Liquidambar acalycina): China, Japan
  • Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis): Greece, Turkey

Want a round crown? 'Gumball' has them!

If you do not have the space for a sweetgum tree that is up to 40 m high and 8 m wide, you can make the right choice with the ball sweetgum tree. It is also often found commercially under the name Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball'.

This variety is short in stature. It grows to a maximum of 2 m high. In addition, it grows quite slowly with 5 to 10 cm of new growth per year. You can plant them in the home garden and even in a tub, for example on the terrace.

The crown is uniquely spherical in this strain and that by nature. Here you don't have to cut regularly to get the spherical shape. In the fall, the foliage of this variety turns red and yellow.

Other recommended varieties of American sweetgum

But not only 'Gumball' is popular. How about the variety 'Stella', for example? It features deeply cut, dark green foliage. In autumn it turns dark red. This variety can grow up to 25 m tall. It belongs to the 'middle class'.

These varieties have also proven themselves:

  • 'Worplesdon': weak growth, symmetrical appearance, 10 m high, fiery red in autumn
  • 'Variegata': 2 m tall, variegated white foliage, suitable for tubs
  • 'Oktoberglut': yellow, orange and red in autumn, 3 m high, slow-growing
  • 'Silver King': 5 m tall, red-brown bark, green-white variegated foliage, orange, red to purple in autumn

tips

If you have a conservatory, you can also venture into such cold-sensitive specimens as the oriental sweetgum. Put it in the bucket and bring it to the conservatory in the fall!

Category:

Trees