Welcome to the first video in our new pruning series! Over the course of this series, we will walk you through how to master structural tree care, and we are starting things off with the easiest one of them all: the Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Gumball’.
Often referred to by growers as the “lollipop tree,” this compact variety is highly prized for its dense, naturally rounded canopy. While it requires far less work than most decorative trees, following a few precise steps will ensure a healthy, flawlessly shaped specimen.
Here is how to manage your ‘Gumball’ canopy, alongside key care tips to get the absolute most out of this variety.
Pruning Liquidambar ‘Gumball’
Set It and Forget It
Unlike many high-maintenance topiary trees that rely on severe “man-made” intervention to look good, the ‘Gumball’ naturally wants to grow into a dense, compact form. Because this is its organic growth habit rather than a forced structure, once you correctly establish its shape when it is young, it holds onto its geometry beautifully. According to our experience, you can easily get roughly ten years of neat, undisturbed structure out of a single proper pruning session.
The Iconic”Lollipop” Shape
In New Zealand nurseries and gardens, this variety is widely known as the “lollipop tree.” When the tree is young, your goal is to lightly prune it into a neat, uniform round or oval shape. If you are working on an established, upright tree, make sure to use a sturdy ladder so you can cleanly reach the entire radius of the crown to preserve that classic lollipop silhouette.
Avoid Dead Wood: Cut Directly to the Nodes
When trimming back stray branches, your blade placement is the most critical factor. Always cut cleanly right above a node. The node is the point on a stem where leaves, buds, or branches emerge. If you cut blindly between two nodes, the remaining wood above the joint has no way to draw up nutrients or push out new growth. That leftover piece will simply wither away.
Why Dead Wood is Bad
Leaving random stubs of dead wood scattered across the outer shell completely ruins the flawless, smooth aesthetic of the globe canopy. More importantly, dead wood acts like an open invitation for pests and fungal diseases to enter the tree. Cutting directly to the node allows the tree to seal its wounds quickly and naturally, keeping the outer canopy clean, green, and vibrant.
Additional Liquidambar Tips From Douglas
- Give it a Double Feed: The ‘Gumball’ is an exceptionally heavy feeder. To keep it healthy, give it twice as much fertilizer as you would a standard ornamental tree in your garden.
- Maintain the Best Autumn Colour: The dramatic, jaw-dropping autumn display is directly tied to nutrition. A well-fed tree will reward you with a magnificent transition through brilliant reds, deep burgundies, and near-blacks.
- Look for the Short Dormant Cycle: A healthy, well-fed tree features a swift winter dormancy. Once its last autumn leaves fall, it rests cleanly for just six to eight weeks before the fresh new spring leaves rapidly kick back in.
- How to Know if it Needs Feed: Pay attention to how the tree drops its foliage. If it is starved (a very common issue when grown in tight wine barrels) it will stubbornly hold onto dull, dead outer leaves for up to six months. Starvation also shows up as a “motley,” patchy, splotchy leaf colour that looks like a disease but is actually just hunger.
- Built for Tough Conditions: Don’t worry if your garden is exposed. The ‘Gumball’ is highly resilient and comfortably shrugging off the heavy persistent winds common in regions like Palmerston North and the rest of New Zealand.
Bring the Perfect “Lollipop” Tree Home
Keen to add one of these low-maintenance stunners to your landscape? If you would like to purchase a Liquidambar ‘Gumball’, or browse our extensive range of premium trees, you can explore our range right here.
We know every garden is unique, so if you have any other questions or need personalized planting advice for your area, feel free to reach out. We are always here to help your garden thrive!