Hi all I wonder if anyone can help - I'm new to trees, and I seem to be getting a lot of conflicting advice. I have a very small garden, and am planning to plant a liquidambar. I bought it from the nursery, because they, and another gardener recommended it for me. It says on the label that after 20 years, it will reach 5 metres in height. It seems that after that, it eventually becomes a large tree. I've been told that, with pruning, it can easily be kept at that height. Is this true? What about the roots? Would they also stay relatively small? If this is the case, then why do the RHS say that most attempts at keeping a naturally large tree at a smaller size are unsuccessful? Would it make much more sense to plant a small tree? Or should I continue with the liquidamber? Thanks
Hello sunlight and welcome to GC. The Liquidambar I know here are exceptionally large trees (25-35 meters plus) used for shade, especially in restaurants. I personally would not put it in a small garden unless it was in a very large pot, then you are assured of keeping it 'contained' in both size and root growth. There are many experienced 'tree people' on here who I am sure will give you the advice you require.
Hi sunlight, First and foremost well done for you doing your research about trees instead of simply bunging anything in the ground and it causing a problem later on. The quickiest, easiest and most sensible answer would be to plant something more suitable to your garden. If your garden is very small as you say then I would suggest planting some shrubs instead of trees, as trees need plenty of space and sunlight in order to achieve their full potential. Trying to keep a large tree small is an ongoing process, and I feel that eventually it would leave you wishing you'd had gone for a more easy to handle shrub. As Victoria says though, wait for the experienced 'tree people' to turn up though! :wink:
I have had a liquidambar in the garden for almost 20 years now and it is still only about 12 feet high. It is in an open position and would have been in a fairly damp soil although I installed a drain especially for it a year or so after planting when I noticed it to be struggling a little I have just taken this photograph of it as it stands today to give you an idea of its present size Whether or not it would 'take off' in different conditions I don't know. You make your own mind up on that one
hey, thanks for the advice. I swapped it for a nice little olive tree, which I think is more suitable. So I now have a silver birch and an olive tree....
In the book Champion Trees of Britain and Ireland printed 2003. The tallest Liquidambar styraciflua was measured at 28m/ 91ft. at Stratfield Saye, Hampshire. Liquidambar do grow big!
