Liquidambar styraciflua Thea - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Thea' is a variety of Dutch American Sweetgum that is distinguished from the species by its leaves, which are cut into narrow lobes, reminiscent of certain Japanese maples. Its autumn foliage displays a beautiful purple-violet hue, quite uniform. Its habit is also slightly different, initially conical during its early years, it then becomes distinctly pyramidal and slender. This light-loving and non-calcareous soil tree has real ornamental qualities and deserves a prominent location, in full view, exactly under the sun, allowing it to be admired in all its splendour. 

The American Sweetgum is a tree of the Hamamelidaceae family, in which many beautifully coloured plants can be found in autumn, such as Hamamelis, Parrotia, and Loropetalum. This majestic tree is native to North America, specifically from the banks of large rivers such as the Mississippi and Ohio, for example. Its name Liquidambar comes from the Latin word "liquidus", liquid, and the Arabic word "ambar", which means amber, due to the aromatic amber-coloured resin that flows from its bark. Discovered in 1528, it was introduced to Europe in 1681.

The cultivar 'Thea', introduced in the Netherlands in 1993, will reach an average height of 18-20m (59ft 1in - 65ft 7in) in our gardens, with fairly rapid growth. Over time, it develops a very upright trunk topped with a fairly open crown, with a pyramidal habit, with a diameter at the base reaching about 7m (23 ft). In this variety, the lateral branches are harmoniously arranged perpendicular to the trunk. The deciduous foliage is the main asset of this tree. It consists of palmate leaves, 10 to 18cm (3.9 to 7.1in) long, divided into 5 slender lobes, with the central lobe longer than the others. The finely toothed leaves are alternately arranged on the branches. Dark green in colour, they turn to intense purple-violet in autumn. The discreet flowering takes place in April on subjects aged 25 years and older, in the form of upright male catkins separate from the female flowers, in the form of pendant globose clusters measuring 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2in) in diameter. After pollination, pompom-like fruits are formed, somewhat resembling those of the plane tree. Each fruit is composed of several capsules containing small winged seeds, similar to maple samaras. The bark of the American Sweetgum is dark brown, with corky cracks. This very beautiful tree has a lifespan of about 150 years.

Liquidambar 'Thea' is perfectly hardy. This tree requires non-calcareous, deep, and moist soil without being waterlogged, and a sunny exposure. Once established, it requires no maintenance. It can be planted either as a solitary tree on a large lawn or in a row along a large alley or property boundary. The American Sweetgum is often found in parks, where it stands out for its superb autumn colours. It can be associated with other colourful trees such as Ginkgo Biloba, Toona sinensis 'Flamingo', Nyssa sylvatica, large Japanese maples, Hamamelis, and bald cypress, which all thrive in cool environments and deep soils.

Properties:

The aromatic resin exuded by the bark is also called styrax or liquidambar balm. It was formerly used in aromatherapy, primarily by indigenous populations, and later, upon its arrival in Europe, by cosmetic manufacturers who incorporated it into various preparations such as milks or beauty creams. The wood of the American Sweetgum, with its reddish-brown colour, renowned for its scent and mechanical qualities, was widely used in cabinetmaking for the production of fine furniture.