Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Moraine’ – Moraine Sweetgum

Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Moraine’

The Moraine Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Moraine’) is a beautiful, medium sized, narrowly pyramidal or oval shaped deciduous tree. It is a cultivar of Liquidambar styraciflua or Sweetgum tree, which originates in the eastern United States, Mexico, and Central America. ‘Moraine’ is the most cold hardy cultivar of the Sweetgum tree in cultivation. It grows to a height of 40-45 feet and a spread of 25-30 feet.

The leaves of the Moraine Sweetgum are palmate, with 5 or sometimes 7 lobes, and appear star-shaped. The foliage emerges in spring a vibrant, glossy, bright green. In the fall, the tree puts on a vibrant, multi-colored display that graduates through yellow and orange, ending with deep red and purple. The effect can be stunning when multiple trees are planted lining a road or driveway.

The flowers of the Moraine Sweetgum blossom in May or June. They are yellowish-green in color and inconspicuous.

The texture of the tree is fairly coarse. The bark is an attractive, grayish brown with small warts that develop into attractive cork ridges as the tree matures. Fruit develops in the fall and can cause a nuisance when they drop. However, they are attractive to wildlife. They are spiky, round capsules approximately 1 to 2 inches in size.

The Moraine Sweetgum prefers full sun locations. It is tolerant of wet soils but dislikes alkaline soils. Its leaves show chlorosis if the pH gets too high. The roots can be shallow and push up sidewalks if planted as a street tree.

Description

Height: 40-45 ft.
Width: 25-30 ft.
Shape: Pyramid, Oval
Flower Color: Yellow, Green
Flowering Time: MayJune
Fall Color: Red, Purple, Yellow, Orange
Features: Outstanding fall color, beautiful silhouette, narrow crown
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Watering: Moderate & Regular
Soil: Prefers rich, acidic, moist, well-drained loam soil. Tolerates wet soils.
Growth Rate: Slow
USDA Zones: 5-8
Uses: Shade tree, lawn tree, park tree, street tree
Similar Trees: Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’)

Additional information

Shape

Oval, Pyramidal

Flower Color

Green, Yellow

Flowering Time

June, May

Fall Color

Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow

Growth Rate

Slow

Uses

Lawn Tree, Park Tree, Shade Tree, Street Tree

USDA Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Mature Height

40'-50'

Mature Width

20'-30'

Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade

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