Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto Sweet Gum

Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto or Sweet Gum Palo Alto
The genus Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour although its yellow spring flowers are inconspicuous. Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto has particularly striking orange-red autumn colour, similar in appearance to that of some Japanese Maples, turning a darker red before falling. It is a popular landscape tree which is exceptionally hardy and boasts resistance to oak root fungus. 

Sweet Gum Palo Alto features maple-like leaves which turn a bright orange-red hue in the autumn. Right before the leaves are shed they turn a rich burgundy colour, putting on a brilliant and long-lasting autumn show. In the spring, the Sweet Gum Palo Alto produces inconspicuous yellow flowers followed by round, thorny seed pods that measure about 2.5 centimeters in diameter. The bark is very distinctive in appearance with deep furrows but as the tree matures it also takes on a light grey hue. 

Height and Spread of the Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto
This Sweet Gum variety grows to a height and spread of 15 metres by 12 metres. Our specimens have been trained as full standard trees on long clear stems. Palo Alto naturally has an attractive pyramid growth habit. 

How Hardy is the Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto 
Sweet Gum Palo Alto is hardy throughout the UK to hardiness zone 6. It can withstand temperatures down to -15 Celsius. 

How to Use the Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto
Sweet Gum Palo Alto makes an ideal street tree or landscape shade tree. Be sure to plant it in a location where you can enjoy its eye-catching foliage colour. 

How to Care for the Liquidambar Styraciflua Palo Alto 
It grows best when planted in full sun but the tree will tolerate partial shade. Choose a planting location that is well-draining. It can tolerate soil that is highly acidic to moderately alkaline. When first planted, keep the soil evenly moist to encourage root growth. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant and relatively care free. It does not require pruning but will withstand trimming to maintain its standard size and shape if desired.