Liquidambar formosana ‘monticola’

Formosan Sweet Gum. A natural occuring variety of L. formosana with improved frost resistance. Young twigs olive-green mature to brown-grey. It does not have corky wings. Leaves are 3-lobed leaves, differing from the species which also has 5-lobed specimens, they are hairless and turn to a beautiful scarlet-red in autumn. Large spiky fruit capsules, upto 2.5 cm, appear on long, thin stalks and remain hanging on the tree until deep into winter. Prefers a sheltered site.