Liquidambar styraciflua 'Ward' [sold as Cherokee™]
Cherokee American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua ′Ward′ [sold as Cherokee™] - Overall Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Yellow green in spring; not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Dark green star-shaped leaves in the summer); Multi-Colored (Fall foliage a deep red mixed with yellow)
 Ultimate Height:
45 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
30 feet
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to different soils
 Range:
Cultivated origin
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves alternate, simple, 4-7.5" long and wide, star-shaped (5-7 pointed lobes), and finely serrate. Ovate buds (0.25-0.5" long) are reddish green-brown. Stems are rounded to somewhat angled, often developing corky wings and bark; 'Ward' develops this at an earlier age than the species type. Sap has gum-like consistency.
  Special Characteristics:
  • Fall Color 238
  • Shade Tree 181
  • Specimen 630
  • Street Tree 140
  • Slow Growth Rate 271

    • Additional Information

    This variant of the American Sweetgum is nearly fruitless and hardy to -28 degrees F without injury. Handsome shade tree with few troubles and outstanding seasonal interest. Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by its wide range. Fall foliage coloration varies greatly in timing and intensity among individuals. Rather difficult to transplant in large sizes.

    32 Liquidambar styraciflua 'Ward' [sold as Cherokee™] found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    1ORIG_9504*AVAWT
    22012_01418*ASPKL
    3ORIG_9247*ALILY
    4ORIG_9323*AERHT
    52010_11834*AMMDC
    6ORIG_9553*ALWSN
    7ORIG_8855*ASCPA
    8ORIG_9330*AHLTP
    9ORIG_8945*APMU
    10ORIG_7549*AORIG
    11ORIG_9547*ALWSN
    12ORIG_9506*AVAWT
    13ORIG_9232*ABCC
    14ORIG_9551*ALWSN
    15ORIG_7544*AORIG
    16ORIG_9548*ALWSN
    17ORIG_9549*ALWSN
    18ORIG_9550*ALWSN
    19ORIG_9233*ABCC
    20ORIG_8858*ASCPA
    21ORIG_9683*ASCPA
    22ORIG_9335*AHLTP
    23ORIG_9331*AHLTP
    24ORIG_9436*APAO
    252012_01087*AWDCT
    26ORIG_9324*AERHT
    27ORIG_9505*AVAWT
    282012_01397*CSPKL
    29ORIG_9438*APAO
    30ORIG_9432*APAO
    31ORIG_9426*APAO
    32ORIG_9552*ALWSN

    Other plants like this Liquidambar styraciflua 'Ward' [sold as Cherokee™] (Cherokee American Sweetgum)

    The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

    Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
    © 2026 Purdue UniversityAn equal access/equal opportunity universityCopyright ComplaintsMaintained by Purdue Arboretum Explorer
    Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us