Sweet Gum Palo Alto

The Palo Alto, named after the Californian city in which it was first discovered, offers the striking autumn colour Sweet Gum are known for whilst also retaining the additional interest of the fissured corky bark of its parent, bred out of some other cultivars. A neat pyramidal tree, it can reach 20m so needs space in which to grow. It makes for an excellent autumnal avenue with its maple-like leaves turning orange-red. Spiky brown ‘fruits’ which are actually seed pods are produced from summer and can remain on the tree after leaf fall. Suitable for a range of free draining soils the best autumn displays will be on those which lean towards acidic.

Common names

Sweet Gum Palo Alto

Height of tree

12-17m

Soil type

AcidicWell drained

Shape

Oval

Blossom Colour

Yellow

Looks good in

Autumn

Location

Garden

Genus

Liquidambar

Autumn Colour

Yes