Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' Tree

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Liquidambar Worplesdon trees growing in field

Liquidambar Worplesdon trees growing in field with autumn colour

Liquidambar Worplesdon green leaves turning red in autumn

Liquidambar Worplesdon leaves and seed pods

Tree Information

Specialities

Tolerances

Wet Soil: Medium

Dry Soil: Low

Lime: Low

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ commonly known as Worplesdon sweetgum, is a deciduous tree selected by Rowland Jackman of Clematis Jackmans on the Worplesdon Nursery, Surrey. Enjoying the autumn display of the Liquidambar, Jackman wanted a more site forgiving cultivar that would increase the reliability of its fantastic colours.

The most striking feature of the Worplesdon is its foliage. Leaves are maple shaped with 5-7 lobes, each one running deeper than the parent. These open a vivid healthy green for the spring and summer months. As summer closes, leaves deepen into the most beautiful display of crimson reds, apricot orange and marmalade golds. This autumn colour is more reliable and tolerant of the site conditions than the standard species of Liquidambar syraciflua. On favourable sites with full sun and acidic soil, the shades intensify even further into neon purple and fluorescent reds.

The Worplesdon is particularly suited to the erratic UK climate, being more tolerant of cold and excessive rainfall. It’s a highly desirable tree that is ideal as a solitary feature enjoying centre stage or planted as an avenue to create a choir of autumn magnificence. Its clean, architectural structure is well suited for business parks and prominent stately grounds.

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Size

Medium

10m high x 4m wide after 25 years

Environment

Ideal for public open spaces, housing estates and prominent business parks.

Canopy

Narrower half open form of the species. Its branches mature laterally from its straight central leader into a broad pyramidal canopy.

Foliage

The star shaped leaves are very deeply lobed with a lush green colour in spring and summer. Almost finger like. In autumn, leaves melt into reds and rich orange hues brushed with yellows.

Flowers

Blossoms in spring producing male and female flowers.

Fruit

The fruit is round, spiky and hangs on a long stem.

Resilience

Suitable for most soils including loam or heavy clay, although not in chalky alkaline sites. Likes a free draining humid area. Will establish in wet locations but requires direct light. Not tolerant of extensive dry periods. Acidic soil will bring out the best colours whilst alkaline will diminish any autumn colour.

Available As:

Semi-Mature, Super Semi-Mature