Decorative properties of cultivars of Liquidambar styraciflua L.

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the structure, and color of the leaf, the bark of the branches, the habit of the crown, the linear characteristics of the plants, the features of flowering and fruiting of Liquidambar styraciflua L. and its cultivars. Provide recommendations for their use in landscaping. Methods. The subjects of the research were cultivars of L. styraciflua, which were found in arboretums, parks, squares, garden centers, nurseries and in green areas throughout Ukraine. The plants were evaluated according to a complex scale of ornamental value of woody plants, which includes four levels of ornamental value of trees and shrubs: very high, high, medium and low. The methods of observation, analysis, comparison, data summarization, photo­fixation and descriptive­taxation method were used. Results. A comprehensive assessment of the decorative effect of L. styraciflua cultivars (‘Worplesdon’, ‘Gum Ball’, ‘Rotundiloba’, ‘Albomarginata Manon’, ‘Oakville Highlight’, ‘Slender Silhouette’, ‘Fastigiatа’, ‘Pasquali’, ‘Stared’, ‘Thea’, ‘Aurea’, ‘Golden Treasure’, ‘Variegata’, ‘Golden Sun’, ‘Stella’, ‘Stella Rossa’) against species plants was carried out. Based on the results of the research, a table was compiled to help landscape architects, nursery and garden center workers, botanists and ecologists, students and staff of forestry and botanical institutions in the selection of plants. Recommendations are given for the use of L. styraciflua cultivars in landscaping. Conclusions. According to the degree of ornamentality, the vast majo­rity of L. styraciflua cultivars (13) belong to group I (very high, 65–90 points). They are recommended for use in urban and domestic landscaping and for the creation of various landscape objects. Group II (high ornamental value, 51–64 points) contains two cultivars, and group III (moderate ornamental value, 41–50 points) contains only one cultivar.