Liquidambar styraciflua Golden Sun - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua Golden Sun is a variety of American Sweetgum obtained from the Netherlands. This Liquidambar is spectacular all year round! It stands out with its golden yellow young wood, which shines under the winter sun, and its compact size allowing it to be used in small gardens. Its palmate foliage is golden yellow in spring, green in summer, and deep red-purple in autumn, persisting until December. This deciduous ornamental tree has a conical pyramidal habit, denser than the species. Plant it in deep, moderately alkaline-free and moist soil, not waterlogged. It tolerates partial shade but will appreciate a sunny and sheltered location.

The American Sweetgum is a tree in the witch-hazel family, 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 like the Mississippi and Ohio, for example. Its name Liquidambar comes from the Latin word "liquidus", meaning liquid, and the Arabic word "ambar", meaning amber, due 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 alongside poplars and oaks.

The Golden Sun cultivar, introduced in the Netherlands in 2001, reaches heights of up to 8 m in our gardens, with a medium growth rate. It develops a dense conical pyramidal habit with spread branches over time, and the diameter at the base will reach about 4 m. At 10 years old, it will reach a height of 4 m (13 ft 1 in) with a spread of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). The deciduous foliage is the main feature of this tree. It consists of palmate leaves, measuring 10 to 18 cm long, divided into 5 slender lobes, with the central lobe being longer than the others. The dark green leaves are finely toothed and arranged alternately on the branches. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in April on specimens aged 25 years and older, in the form of upright male catkins separate from the female flowers, in the form of pendant clusters measuring 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) in diameter. After pollination, pom-pom-like fruits form, resembling those of the plane tree. 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 fissures. The lifespan of this beautiful tree is approximately 150 years.

The Golden Sun liquidambar is perfectly hardy. This tree requires a non-alkaline, deep, moist soil that is not waterlogged and a sunny exposure. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be planted as a solitary tree on a large lawn or in an avenue along a wide path or property boundary. The Liquidambar styraciflua 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, Corylopsis, Nyssa sylvatica, large Japanese maples, Witch-hazels, and hazelnuts that thrive in the same cool environments and deep soils.

Properties:

The aromatic resin exuded by the bark is also called styrax or liquidambar balm. It was once used in aromatherapy, primarily by indigenous populations, and then, upon its arrival in Europe, by cosmetics manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as beauty creams. The wood of the liquidambar, with its reddish-brown colour, was highly valued for its scent and was widely used in cabinetmaking for the production of fine furniture.