Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'

Water

The Sweetgum tree, commonly known as Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon', prefers moist, well-drained soil and should be watered thoroughly once a week during its growing season in spring and summer. During the dormant season in fall and winter, reduce watering to every two to three weeks depending on rainfall and soil moisture levels. Each watering session should provide the Sweetgum with approximately 10 to 15 gallons of water, ensuring it penetrates deeply to encourage a strong root system. In periods of drought, watering should be increased to twice per week, with each session providing the tree with up to 15 gallons of water to prevent stress.

Light

Sweetgum trees thrive best in full sun conditions, meaning they should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal location for a Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' is an open space, away from buildings or other trees that could shade it, ensuring it gets ample light throughout the day for healthy growth and vibrant fall foliage.

Temperature

Sweetgum trees like Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' are hardy and can survive in a wide temperature range, typically withstanding minimum winter temperatures down to -10°F. However, they grow best in temperate climates where temperatures range from 70°F to 85°F during the growth season. They can tolerate summer highs up to 100°F but should be monitored for signs of heat stress.

Pruning

Prune the Sweetgum tree during its dormancy in late winter to early spring to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches and to maintain its desired shape. Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' typically requires light pruning every few years to keep the tree healthy and prevent potential hazards. The best time for pruning is after the coldest part of winter has passed to minimize stress on the tree.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Sweetgum prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 5.5 to 7.5. A good soil mix for Sweetgum includes loamy topsoil with organic compost and a small amount of sand to improve drainage. Ensure that the soil is fertile and well-draining to prevent waterlogging, which Sweetgum roots dislike.

Repotting

Sweetgum trees do not require frequent repotting as they are typically planted outdoors. They are usually planted directly in the ground where they can thrive without the need for repotting. Repotting is generally not applicable to this species unless it starts in a container for initial growth before transplanting.

Humidity & Misting

Sweetgum trees are adaptable to a range of humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions to thrive. They grow well in the varying outdoor humidity levels that occur naturally within their hardiness zones.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not suitable for indoor growth due to size.

• Outdoor

  Plant in well-draining soil with full sun exposure.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' begins its life as a seed, which, after being dispersed, requires a moist, well-drained environment to germinate. Once germinated, it enters the seedling stage, growing rapidly with enough light, water, and soil nutrients, developing a distinctive, star-shaped leaf pattern. The juvenile stage is marked by vigorous stem and leaf growth, and it's during this period that the tree begins to establish its pyramidal shape. As the tree matures into adulthood, it develops the characteristic corky ridges on its bark, and during its reproductive stage, it produces distinctive, spiky seed balls that disperse seeds in late autumn. The Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' has a long adult phase, during which time it may reach heights of 60 to 70 feet and can live for many decades, providing valuable habitat and autumn color. Eventually, the tree enters the senescence stage, where growth slows, and it may become more susceptible to disease and environmental stress before eventually dying.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Winter-Early Spring

• The most popular method of propagating the Sweetgum tree, specifically the Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon', is through seed collection and sowing. Seeds are typically gathered in the fall after the spiky seed balls have dried and begun to break apart. It's important to collect the seeds once they're fully mature but before they disperse naturally. Once collected, the seeds are cleaned and stratified. Stratification involves chilling the seeds for 1-3 months at 33-41°F (0.5-5°C) to break dormancy and improve germination rates. After stratification, the seeds are sown in well-draining soil in a sunny location. Sowing should ideally occur in late winter or early spring, with germination expected in a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on conditions.