Liquidambar styraciflua Naree - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Naree' is a variety of American sweetgum that is characterised by moderate growth and spring foliage in golden yellow, turning chartreuse green in summer, and adorned with shades of orange, yellow, and burgundy in autumn. This palmate foliage, reminiscent of some maples, with its changing colours throughout the seasons, is the main asset of this tree. Less bulky than the species, it is suitable for medium-sized gardens. It can be used in alignment or as a standalone to bring light and colour to slightly darker areas.

The American sweetgum is a tree of the witch-hazel family, which includes many beautifully coloured plants in autumn, such as witch-hazels, ironwoods, 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", meaning amber, due to the aromatic amber-coloured resin that flows from its bark. Discovered in 1528, it was introduced to Europe in 1681.

The cultivar 'Naree' is a fairly compact variety that reaches an average height of 12 m (39.4 ft) in our gardens. Its growth rate is moderate. Over time, it develops a very vertical trunk topped with a fairly open crown, with a pyramidal habit, reaching a diameter of approximately 6 m (19.7 ft) at the base. In this variety, the lateral branches are harmoniously arranged perpendicular to the trunk. The deciduous foliage is the main asset of this tree. It consists of palmate leaves, 10 cm to 18 cm (3.9 in to 7.1 in) long, divided into 5 slender lobes, with the central lobe longer than the others. The finely toothed leaves are alternately arranged on the branches. They are golden yellow, then chartreuse in summer, and turn orange, yellow, and burgundy in autumn. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in April on trees aged 25 years and older, in the form of erect male catkins separate from the female flowers, in the form of pendant glomerules measuring 2 cm to 3 cm (0.8 in to 1.2 in) in diameter. After pollination, pompom-like fruits form, somewhat resembling those of plane trees. Each fruit consists of several capsules containing small winged seeds, similar to maple samaras. The bark of the sweetgum is dark brown, with cork-like crevices. The lifespan of this beautiful tree is approximately 150 years.

The 'Naree' sweetgum is perfectly hardy. This tree requires a non-calcareous, deep, and moist soil without being waterlogged, and a sunny exposure. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be planted either as a standalone tree on a large lawn or in alignment along a wide avenue or property boundary. Liquidambar styraciflua is commonly found in parks, where it stands out for its superb autumn colours. You can plant it with other colourful trees such as Ginkgo biloba, Nyssa sylvatica, large Japanese maples, and the bald cypress, which all thrive in similar 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 later, upon its arrival in Europe, by cosmetic manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as milks and beauty creams. The wood of the sweetgum, with its reddish-brown colour, renowned for its scent and mechanical qualities, was widely used in cabinet-making for the production of furniture.