Liquidamber is a lovely deciduous tree with an upright, narrowly pyramidal habit, growing moderately to 40 feet tall and about 15 to 20 feet wide. Leaves are a rich green and maple-like. The fall color is why you plant this tree, with a kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. It has round seedpods, about the size of pingpong balls, and they are sort of spiny; no bother dropping into shrubby or groundcover areas, but a little tough on lawnmowers or feet. They are great for craft projects, though. A number of cultivars are available, with selections made for fall color and size.
Liquidamber grows best in well-drained, loamy soils and in full sun, though tolerates partial shade. Grows in neutral soils but can exhibit chlorosis in high pH soils. Tolerates pollution.