Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' - Sweet Gum Tree

A magnificent large specimen tree with a strong pyramidal crown, deeply cut foliage and some of the most reliable autumn colour available.

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ is ideal for estates, parkland, large lawns, avenues and substantial gardens.

Tree highlights

• Yellow, orange, red and purple autumn colour

• Deeply cut glossy green leaves

• Strong pyramidal crown

• Broadens attractively with age

• Distinctive corky wings on mature branches

• Large long-lived specimen tree

• RHS Award of Garden Merit cultivar

• Very hardy

• Suitable for deep, moisture-retentive soil

• Reliable in cool North-West-European conditions

Tree information

Feature / Details
Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’
Common name: ‘Worplesdon’ Sweet Gum
Plant type: Large deciduous specimen tree
Mature height: Approximately 12–20 metres
Mature spread: Approximately 8–12 metres
Growth rate: ModerateAnnual growth
Approximately 30–50cm
Crown form: Narrow pyramidal, broadening with age
Foliage: Glossy, deeply cut green leaves
Flowers: Small yellow-green flowers
Fruit: Woody, spiky capsules
Autumn colour: Yellow, apricot, orange, red and purple
Preferred position: Full sun
Soil: Deep, fertile and moisture-retentive
Preferred pH: Acid to neutral
Hardiness: Very hardy
Wildlife value: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate

Is it the right tree for your site?

Choose ‘Worplesdon’ if you want:

• A large autumn-colour specimen

• A disciplined pyramidal shape

• Distinctive deeply cut foliage

• A mature tree with strong architectural presence

• A long-term parkland or estate feature

• Reliable autumn performance in North West conditions

• A tree suitable for broad lawns and avenues

It may not be suitable if:

• Your garden is small

• You require evergreen privacy

• Soil is strongly alkaline or shallow

• The position is very dry or waterlogged

• The site is severely exposed

• Spiky capsules would be a nuisance

• There is inadequate room for an 8–12 metre crown

Choosing your tree size

Young standards are generally the most economical option and often establish quickly.

Heavy standards provide greater immediate height and visible canopy.

Multi-stem and semi-mature specimens create stronger initial impact but require suitable access, lifting arrangements, anchoring and planned irrigation.

Read our specimen tree sizes explained and mature trees versus younger trees guides.

Planting position and soil

Plant in full sun for the strongest autumn colour.

The ideal soil is:

• Deep

• Fertile

• Moisture-retentive

• Freely drained

• Acid to neutral

Clay can be suitable where its structure and drainage are adequate. Strongly alkaline, shallow, dry or permanently waterlogged ground should be avoided.

Planting and establishment

Successful establishment depends on:

• Thorough soil preparation

• Correct planting depth

• Suitable support or anchoring

• Regular watering during dry periods

• A mulch circle kept away from the trunk

• Protection from construction damage

• Adequate rooting volume

• Future access for inspection and arboricultural work

Use our tree planting and establishment guide.

For larger trees, see our specimen tree delivery and planting information.

Pruning and maintenance

‘Worplesdon’ requires relatively little pruning after a sound framework has formed.

Young trees may need formative work to maintain a clear leader and remove crossing, damaged or weakly attached branches.

Established trees should be pruned only for structural, clearance or safety reasons. Avoid unnecessary hard crown reduction.

See our RHS pruning group 1 guide.

Autumn colour and fruit capsules

The principal selling feature is its extended autumn display, which can move through yellow, apricot, orange, red and red-purple.

The woody, spiky capsules may remain after leaf fall and release winged seeds. They add botanical interest but can be uncomfortable beneath the tree and troublesome over paths or lawns.

Wildlife value

The tree offers moderate wildlife value through its flowers, canopy, seeds, bark and fallen leaves.

Its ecological contribution can be improved by combining it with native shrubs, nectar-rich perennials and wildlife-friendly groundcover.

When we wouldn’t recommend it

We would not normally recommend ‘Worplesdon’ for small gardens, shallow or alkaline soils, permanently wet sites, positions beneath services or areas where capsule fall cannot be managed.

A smaller autumn-colour tree may be more appropriate where crown width and rooting volume are restricted.

Our recommendation

We recommend Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ for clients seeking a large, proven specimen tree with elegant foliage, a strong pyramidal form and dependable multi-coloured autumn colour.

Contact Landscaping Emporium for current sizes, availability, delivery requirements and professional planting advice.

Delivery and Professional planting

We can install specimen trees at any of the in following postcodes;

BB, BL, CH1 - CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1 - LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1 - SK12, WA, & WN.

Please do not purchase if you want the hedging installed outside this area. If you do live outside the area, then please give us a call on 01942 604976 and we can see if it’s possible to do this.

For more information on the tree see the tree specification below. For more information about delivery, access and planting, see the guide below or click here.