Pine Tree Vs Liquidambar
We recently moved home and the new place had a huge 50ft pine tree growing in the front garden which towered over the not so small house. It blocked out a lot of light from the front of the house and shed pine needles and cones at an immense rate, getting everywhere any anywhere, especially the gutters. Pruning the tree didn't help much. Because we live in a conservation area I needed to get permission to have it removed. That permission was finally given but I've been told that I need to replace it with a liquidambar. My main concern is, will this tree give me the same problems as the pine in that will it grow to be huge and block out light and does it shed leaves/fruit in the same quantity and annoyance as the pine? Thank you for your time.
Posts
well, it's deciduous so it'll certainly shed its leaves every autumn ( after beautiful leaf colour ) but it won't cast the same shade as the pine ( esp in winter )
On balance, I'd say it's a good result.
There are lots of liquidambar, do some research to establish which one you prefer , ( if you're allowed a choice ) "Worplesdon" is a beauty.
Liquidambar in this country don't grow huge although with time they will exceed 50 ft in height. As Hosta says the leaves will cause a few problems and the fruit is a woody structure but they tend not to fruit heavily in the UK. The different cultivars often give different autumn colour and I feel sure some will grow bigger than others. Hosta's advice of doing your research is good.
You may also like to try some of the other species as they are smaller than Liquidambar styraciflua. Liquidambar acalycina is a lovely small tree. It can have great autumn colour and the new growth can be fantastic.
Liquidambar is a beautiful tree, but if you want to keep it to your required size, keep it under control with pruning. A decent tree surgeon can work wonders, and on a small tree wont cost much either every few years.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks everyone. I believe I have some choice in the matter. I will do some research re. acalycina.