Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'
sweet gum 'Slender Silhouette'
A broadly conical specimen tree, with dense, alternate, maple-like leaves colouring though orange to brilliant purplish red in autumn. Flowers are insignificant and the fruits are decorative round, prickly, woody capsules.
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Orange Purple Red Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour; flowers and fruits are inconspicuous
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in lime-free, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Grow in woodland or as a specimen tree. Full sun brings out best autumn colour.
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.