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Slender Silhouette Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'

  • Narrow Columnar Form Reaches 50 Feet Tall but Only 6 Feet Wide, Perfect for Tight Spaces
  • Thrives in Zones 5-9
  • Grows 35-50 ft Tall, 4-6 ft Wide
  • Deer Resistant, Salt Tolerant
  • Native, Pollinator-Friendly Tree
Regular price $17186
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: This columnar tree performs best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can handle light afternoon shade, maximum sun exposure ensures the most vibrant burgundy and purple fall color and maintains its tight, vertical form.
  • Soil: It thrives in deep, moist, well-drained soil but is surprisingly adaptable to heavy clay. If you have sandy soil that drains too fast, mix in organic compost at planting to help hold moisture, as this tree dislikes drying out completely.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, provide 10 to 15 gallons of water per week to help the deep taproot establish itself. Once mature, Slender Silhouette is quite drought tolerant, though a lack of water during summer dry spells can lead to early leaf drop or scorched leaf edges. Aim for consistent moisture to keep the foliage lush and the growth rate steady.

Pruning Tips

Because this cultivar naturally grows in a narrow "pencil" shape, it rarely needs pruning. If you must trim stray branches or reduce height, do so in late winter while the tree is dormant. Pruning during dormancy prevents the tree from "bleeding" sap and ensures you don't cut off the new growth where the upcoming season’s leaves will emerge.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages soft, new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. Think of spring feeding as a "breakfast" that fuels the tree for its entire active growing season.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Description

The supermodel of trees! Everyone who passes this captivating slim giant has the risk or whiplash! This tree is the real definition of a head-turner. That's for sure!

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette') has a body like a supermodel with its mature size of 50 feet tall and about 6 feet wide. Yes, you heard that correctly! Filling out densely with star-shaped foliage, plus unique clustered flowers that transform into ornamental spikey round seedpods that feed birds and wildlife!

If the incredible shape and size won't steal your heart then the green glossy leaves that fade into purple, red, orange, and yellow fall foliage might. You will be shocked by the illuminating colors that protrude effortlessly from this tree.

This tree is the queen of being everyone's go-to specimen tree with its uniqueness. When we say everyone will have to take a double-take, we mean EVERYONE! The Slender Silhouette is a complete Showstopper!

Planting and Application:

You can plant Slender Silhouette as a precise, clean property line hedge tree that will work as a perfect privacy screen! Line that slim walkway between your house and the neighbors with a narrow hedge, or line your driveway for a regal effect! A single specimen tree acts like a punctuation mark that adds height to a garden bed or border or adds pinpoint shade when space is tight!

These slim trees are perfect street trees and look fantastic to screen off your front yard from the street! Slender Silhouette creates an ideal modern take on an Italian allée to be a backdrop to seating areas and garden beds! Try planting in multiples to create a delightfully shady summer sitting area!

These columnar Sweetgums, sometimes spelled Sweet Gum, retain all the perks of their native cousins, including fabulous fall color, wide adaptability, and ease of care! Not minding moister soil locations, these adaptable trees can handle areas around Rain Gardens, near ponds, and along streams and water features!

  • Supermodel Slim & Narrow, Upright Growth
  • Glossy Green Leaves
  • Purple, Red, Orange & Yellow Fall Foliage
  • Bird-Friendly Round Spikey Seedballs
  • Neighborhood Head-Turner & Phenomenal Specimen Tree

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This enchanting tree must be planted in full sun with well-drained soil to grow to its mature size, including salt, alkaline, and clay sites. This tall and skinny tree has fleshy roots that greatly appreciate having a nice 3-4" layer of mulch over the roots to moderate the temperature and help maintain better moisture consistency. Prune in spring if needed, waiting until you see new growth emerging, as these trees are like Maples and may bleed sap in the spring from pruning cuts. Pest and disease-resistant, Sweetgum are hardy plants throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9.

  • Best in Full Sun
  • Moderate to High Moisture
  • Drought Tolerant Once Established
  • Widely Adaptable In Any Well-Drained Soil
  • Minimal Maintenance - Prune Early Spring

You won't be able to just buy one of these magnificent Slender Silhouette Columnar Sweetgum Trees. Order your very own today at Nature Hills Nursery!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Slender Silhouette Sweetgum is an excellent choice among fast growing trees for creating vertical interest in your landscape. For more options, explore our complete selection of trees and drought tolerant varieties, or discover zone 5 plants, trees & shrubs for cold-hardy landscaping solutions. Learn more about this remarkable species in our guide Discover Sweetgum Trees: Beauty, Benefits & Best Varieties! and find additional screening options in Best Privacy Trees and Shrubs to Plant This Spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Slender Silhouette Sweetgum suitable for?

  • Slender Silhouette Sweetgum thrives in USDA zones 5-9, inheriting the wide adaptability of native sweetgums. This columnar cultivar handles various soil conditions and climate ranges across most temperate regions. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment.

How tall and wide does Slender Silhouette Sweetgum get at maturity?

  • Slender Silhouette Sweetgum reaches 50 feet tall and only 6 feet wide at maturity, creating a striking columnar profile. This narrow growth habit makes it perfect for tight spaces, property lines, or creating privacy screens where traditional trees would be too wide.

What are the soil requirements for planting Slender Silhouette Sweetgum?

  • Slender Silhouette Sweetgum adapts to a wide range of soil conditions and tolerates moisture better than most trees. It thrives in areas around rain gardens, near ponds, and along streams. Plant in well-draining to moderately moist soil for best results.

Does it need well-drained soil, and can it handle acidic or poor soils?

  • The Slender Silhouette Sweetgum tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor and acidic soils. It actually prefers moister locations and can handle wet areas around rain gardens, ponds, and streams. Plant it in any soil type for reliable performance.

How much sun does Slender Silhouette Sweetgum require?

  • Slender Silhouette Sweetgum thrives in full sun to partial shade, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fall color development. More sun produces the most vibrant purple, red, orange, and yellow autumn display. Shop at Nature Hills for this stunning columnar tree.

What are the watering and care needs after planting Slender Silhouette Sweetgum?

  • Water deeply once weekly for the first growing season to establish roots. This adaptable tree tolerates moist conditions well and can handle areas near water features or rain gardens. Once established, reduce watering frequency but maintain consistent moisture during dry spells.

Is Slender Silhouette Sweetgum shipped as bare root or in a container?

  • Slender Silhouette Sweetgum is typically shipped in containers rather than bare root. Container-grown trees establish more reliably and can be planted throughout the growing season. Check the product page for specific pot sizes available, as larger specimens may ship in bigger containers.

What is the warranty or guarantee for Slender Silhouette Sweetgum if it fails to grow?

  • Nature Hills offers a one-year guarantee on trees from the date of delivery when planted and cared for properly. This hardy sweetgum is quite resilient once established, adapting to various soil conditions including moist areas. For best results, plant in spring and ensure adequate watering the first year to help your 50-foot specimen establish strong roots.

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