Liquidambar formosana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Formally in Hamamalidaceae
- Phonetic Spelling
- lih-kwid-AM-bar for-moe-SAY-nuh
- Description
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Not native to North America this sweet gum gets its common name from the sap that oozes from any wounds on the tree. It is commonly used for shade; on streets without sidewalk or in a lawn space that is more than 6 ft wide. It is also used in bonsai. The tree, in general, is showy, but the flowers and fruit are not showy. Fruit attracts birds but fruit and leaves are a litter problem. Be careful when locating Formosa Sweetgum as a street tree since its large, aggressive roots may eventually lift curbs and sidewalks. Plant trees 8 to 10 feet or more away. The fruit may be a litter nuisance to some in the fall through winter, but this is usually only noticeable on hard surfaces, such as roads, patios, and sidewalks. Its shape is pyramidal in youth but grows into a rounded-irregular form though it will require pruning to develop a strong central leader and good shape. Its wood is used for to make furniture and other home interior finishes like flooring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: May be susceptible to bagworm, fall webworm, leaf miner, tent caterpillar and cottony cushion scale. May be attacked by canker disease.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Liquidambar
- Species:
- formosana
- Family:
- Altingiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern China, Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruit attracts birds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 35 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Dark brown, spherical burr-like cluster 1.5" in diameter appear in late summer and can persist into winter. Fruit is less woody and softer than L. styraciflua so are not as much of a stepping hazard.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- April-May non-showy round clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple star-shaped leaves with 3 lobes (instead of the 5-7 lobes of other Liquidambar spp.), palmate; acuminate tips and cordate to truncate bases. Yellow to red fall color but quality varies.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Corky Ridges
- Stem Description:
- Branches covered with corky projections. Twigs are breakage resistant but can cause littler problems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Messy
