Liquidambar Styraciflua

jersanct

Great--thanks very much.

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ozzerbon

Well there seems to be some kinda time warp going on....we'll see, as I was just thinking [earlier today] about posting about my small Liquidambar, the larger of the two has performed normally, having autumn colours of yellow, red thru to purples, but the small guy, is today December 2nd 05, still in bright green foliage all over and not a single leaf showing any fall colors....curious, No?

With the pruning that I have carried out on both trees, I had to constantly go over them removing all the largest of leaves and rampant budding growth.

It may be a help to produce a pic of the smaller tree to show you just what I mean, and I will be able to do this Sunday the 4th, that is in two days time, as I should like to have some input regarding what I think of as being some kinda 'outa season' anomaly.

Regards,
Nigel

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Attila

It is interesting you've mentioned that. I was just about to post a comment on fall colors. Here in Southern California this species is often used as street tree. That's because there are very few that have such a great fall color in this warm climate. The interesting thing is that every individual tree may have a different coloring. As I am walking along the neighbouring streets, I see trees that are mostly red, others are predominantly yellow, others have lots of greeen, orange, and everything in between. I grow a lot of them in my backyard, and it's always exciting to watch each one compared to the others.

On the other hand, there is one growing next to my office that stays green almost all winter long, and turn slightly yellow right before it drops its leaves in January. By this time all the other liquidambars have long been bare for a couple of months.

ozzerbon

G'day Attila,

The smaller tree is a cultivar, a dwarf variety, 'Gumball', and I wondered if this might be why my small tree is so green when everything about it is leafless so to speak?

Regards,
Nigel

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Attila

Yes, cultivars have their own time table.

rockm

This species is native here in the S.E. U.S. I have 50 foot liquidamber right behind my house. The coloration in the fall can vary greatly, some turn completely purple, other go red. In warm autumns, that follow hot summer, they simply go yellow and start dropping leaves (although not all of the leaves) in early August. Has alot to do with moisture levels in the soil and nighttime temperatures, I think. Frost and freezes tend to push more purples in my opinion. The fact one is staying green indicates it hasn't been cold enough. They can linger if the weather stays fair....

ozzerbon

So here it is then, my little'un, still with green leaves Dec 4th.

Liquidambar styraciflua - “Gumball”. [Sweetgum Redgum. Star-leaved Gum. Alligator-wood. Liquidambar]
Style, undecided. Height, 31cm [12 ¼“].
Square, brown unglazed, Chinese, “Yixing” pot and footed. Width, 14.5 [5 ¾”], height, 10.5 [4”].
Gift tree, “specialist” Dutch nursery, February 26 2005.

Any suggestions on chopping or styling of any sort will be appreciated.

Regards,

Nigel

Attached Images

	Liquidamabar (2).jpg (43.1 KB, 26 views)
	Liquidamabar (1).jpg (43.0 KB, 23 views)

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Candy_J_Shirey

Nigel -

I thought that I would share a Liquidamber forest grouping with you.

-Candy

Attached Images

liquidamber.jpg (60.1 KB, 28 views)

shibu

There is an extraordinary group of 21 L. styraciflua trees, in Lindsay Bebb's collection, in Brisbane Australia.

The tallest tree is about 5ft tall. They are potted in a wooden tray, about 6ft x 3ft, and haven't been repotted in 22 years, that I know of. They make a very handsome forest, and all display similar colour and timing.

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