Liquidambar styraciflua Lane Roberts (Sweet Gum)

Award-winning Liquidambar styraciflua 'Lane Roberts' (Sweet Gum) is a magnificent, deciduous tree adorned with a straight trunk and a broadly conical crown at maturity. Its foliage of star-shaped, lobed, dark, glossy green leaves turns dark crimson to near black for several weeks in fall. After dropping to the ground, the attractive branching pattern, furrowed bark and corky wings on twigs are revealed, providing winter interest. In mid-late spring, inconspicuous, yellow-green flowers borne in spherical clusters are on display. They are followed by clusters of hard, spherical, bristly gum balls, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), which usually remain on the tree through the winter. A superb choice for fall color, this Sweet Gum is good-looking all year and makes a superb shade tree or specimen tree. Excellent plant for moist soil areas along streams and ponds.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 30-50 ft. tall (9-15 m) and 25-40 ft. wide (8-12 m)
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in deep, medium moisture, acidic, well-drained soils. Tolerant to a variety of soil conditions but dislikes alkaline soils.
• Perfect as a specimen plant. Fruit can cause litter problems that detract from using this tree as a street tree.
• Low maintenance, this beautiful tree is not subject to serious insect or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.