Overview
Liquidambar styraciflua is sweetgum (American sweetgum), a large upright deciduous tree growing 60-75 feet (18-23 m) tall and 40-50 feet (12-15 m) wide. Glossy dark green star-shaped leaves with 5-7 sharply pointed lobes, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across. Turns yellow, orange, scarlet, burgundy, and purple in fall — multiple colors frequently appear simultaneously on a single tree. Spiny round woody fruit balls (gumballs) 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) — hundreds drop per tree in fall and winter. In Altingiaceae. Native to eastern North America and montane Mexico/Central America. The gumball litter is the primary limitation — hard, spiny, and a walking hazard. Fruitless cultivar 'Rotundiloba' (rounded leaf lobes) eliminates gumballs. Corky-winged ridges on young branches. Shallow aggressive root system heaves pavement. Does not tolerate alkaline soil — iron chlorosis above pH 7.0. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America — from Connecticut south to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri. Also native to montane forests in Mexico and Central America. Found on floodplains, stream banks, and moist upland forests.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade tree and specimen tree in large open landscapes spaced 40-50 feet (12-15 m). Multicolor fall foliage. Use fruitless 'Rotundiloba' to eliminate gumball litter. Keep away from pavement (root heaving). Native to North America. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height60' - 75'
Width/Spread40' - 50'
Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years
Bloom Information
Mid spring (April-May). Inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers. Wind-pollinated. 3 weeks. Spiny round gumballs 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) ripen in fall and persist through winter.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish-yellow, inconspicuousFoliage Description
Glossy dark green, star-shaped with 5-7 sharply pointed lobes, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) across; turns yellow, orange, scarlet, burgundy, and purple in fall — multiple colors frequently appear simultaneously on a single treeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (6+ hours). Acidic well-drained soil pH 5.0-6.5 — iron chlorosis in alkaline conditions. Not drought-tolerant. Shallow aggressive roots heave pavement. Gumball litter — use fruitless 'Rotundiloba' to eliminate. Prune in late winter (February-March). Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.Pruning
Prune in late winter (February-March). Develop a strong central leader when young. Remove dead, crossing, or low-hanging branches. The pyramidal to oval canopy is natural. Do not plant within 15 feet (4.5 m) of pavement (shallow root heaving).Pruning Schedule
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F
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M
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early spring