Sweetgum

The sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as American sweetgum, redgum, or star-leaved gum, is a large, deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It’s a popular ornamental tree in temperate climates due to its stunning autumn foliage, unique leaf shape, and distinctive “gumballs.”

Key Characteristics

• Foliage: The leaves are one of its most recognizable features. They are a rich, dark green, glossy, and star-shaped, with five to seven lobes, resembling a maple leaf. In the autumn, they put on a spectacular and long-lasting display, turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. The intensity of the color can vary depending on the climate and specific cultivar.
• Form: Sweetgums have a straight trunk and a broadly conical to oval crown, especially when young. As they mature, the crown becomes more rounded.
• Bark: The bark is grey and deeply furrowed, becoming corky and ridged with age, which adds year-round textural interest. This unique bark has led to the nickname “alligator wood.”
• “Gumballs”: After flowering, the tree produces distinctive, spiky, woody fruit clusters known as “gumballs.” These hard, dry, and spherical fruits can be a nuisance when they drop on lawns and pavements. Some cultivars have been bred to be fruitless.
• Resin: The common name “sweetgum” refers to the aromatic, sweetish resinous sap that the tree exudes when the bark is wounded. This sap has been used historically for chewing gum and medicinal purposes.

Growing and Care

Sweetgum is a hardy and relatively low-maintenance tree that makes an excellent specimen for larger gardens, parks, and public spaces.

• Sunlight: For the best autumn color, sweetgum trees need full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate partial shade, but the fall colors may not be as vibrant.
• Soil: They prefer moist, well-draining, and slightly acidic to neutral soil. They are adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand, but they do not tolerate overly alkaline or wet, waterlogged conditions.
• Watering: Water new trees regularly to help them establish a strong root system. Once mature, sweetgums are quite drought-tolerant.
• Pruning: Pruning is generally minimal. If needed, prune in late autumn or winter to remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
• Pests and Diseases: Sweetgum trees are generally pest-free, but they can be susceptible to honey fungus.

Considerations

• Size: Be mindful of the tree’s eventual size. It can grow to a significant height of 50 to 70 feet or more, with a similar spread.
• Gumballs: The spiky fruit can be a major drawback for some gardeners, especially if planted near walkways or patios. If this is a concern, consider planting a sterile, fruitless cultivar like ‘Rotundiloba’.