Liquidambar styraciflua 'THÉA'

Sweetgums are highly ornamental trees or shrubs which have been on top of the popularity list for centuries. These come from North America from where they spread to nearly whole world: from colder parts of temperate regions to southern countries where summer temperatures easily reach 40°C. Their give-away are star-shaped leaves which can easily be mistaken for maple leaves, and their autumn colours.

Théa is an attractive variety of sweetgum selected for its autumn foliage colour and smaller size. Its leaves are large, typically 5-lobed, rich green, turning to long lasting shades of bright red and burgundy purple in autumn. The tree grows slowly or moderately into a narrowly pyramidal shape. Unlike other sweet gums this one can reach only some 8m tall when mature which makes it suitable for mid-sized gardens and narrow streets. If you wish to keep it smaller prune it at the end of winter.

Another nice feature is the fruit. Formed in about 3 cm wide spiny spheres they can be quite attractive to look at and a bit irritating when stepped on barefoot once they have hardened up, if not cleared from pavements or lawns in spring.

Sweet gums are soil tolerant but prefer semi-fertile, deep, and well-drained soil that should be slightly acidic to neutral and moist. Once established they can take both temporary flooding and drought. The location should be sunny as it does not tolerate shaded areas. If you buy a plant taller than say 1.5m stake it well for at least 2 years. Plants older than 3 years are fully hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 25-02-2010