Liquidambar styraciflua Lane Roberts - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Lane Roberts', or American Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts', is a tall tree with large lobed leaves that turn magnificent colours in autumn, ranging from yellow to reddish-purple. More compact than the wild species, native to the United States, this variety obtained by the English nursery Hillier in 1971 has a well-structured and pyramidal habit and can be used even in small-sized gardens.

Belonging to the family Altingiaceae (or Hamamelidaceae), the American Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts' will reach approximately 10 to 12 metres (32 feet 10 inches to 39 feet 5 inches) in height and 5 to 6 metres (16 feet 5 inches to 19 feet 8 inches) in width. Its growth is quite rapid. The leaves, with large pointed lobes resembling maple leaves, are shiny green. They develop beautiful autumn colours late, ranging from yellow to orange, red, and even purple, remaining on the tree for a long time. The spring flowers are insignificant and are followed by curious green (then brown) balls adorned with pointed protrusions, which are highly ornamental. The corky, grey-green bark darkens and cracks with age, becoming highly decorative over the years.

This hardy tree prefers deep, moist, and humus-rich soils, and can tolerate brief periods of flooding. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils, without too much limestone. Pruning is unnecessary, except to remove crossing or dead branches. In regions with mild and cool summers, it sometimes happens that Liquidambars produce several competing branches from the central axis, resulting in a "forked" appearance. This can sometimes lead to breakage in strong winds after a few years.

Equally suitable for small spaces and large parks, the 'Lane Roberts' Liquidambar will thrive in a clear and sunny location, where its natural habit can fully develop. In well-drained soil, it will harmonize beautifully with other trees with vibrant autumn colours, such as the Ginkgo biloba, the paperbark maple (Acer griseum), the Korean mountain ash (Sorbus commixta), as well as with bushes of similar qualities, such as the winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus), the Lamarck's serviceberry (Amelanchier lamarckii), the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), or the 'Midwinter Fire' bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire') with its beautiful coral winter stems.