Overview
Liquidambar / Sweetgum Bonsai (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a deciduous tree with star-shaped leaves, corky bark and vivid autumn colours. It is best suited to autumn display bonsai, informal upright and forest plantings. For UK growers, treat it as: Outdoor.
Placement
full sun to light shade for best colour
Watering
keep evenly moist and protect from drying winds
Feeding and fertilising
feed in spring and summer
Pruning and wiring
clip new shoots after extension; structural prune in late winter
Repotting
repot every 2-3 years in early spring
Propagation
seed, cuttings and air layers
Pests, diseases and common issues
large leaves on young trees, leaf scorch, aphids and coarse growth if overfed