Sweetgum Tree

Liquidambar styraciflua

Nature Hills Nursery

Stunning Star-Shaped Leaves Transform into Fiery Fall Colors Year After Year
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Stunning Yellow, Orange, Red & Purple Fall Foliage
Showy Red, Green Blooms in Late Spring

$97⁹⁰

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Sweetgum trees require full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While they can survive in partial shade, you will sacrifice that iconic, intense fall color and the tree may develop a more sparse, leggy canopy.
Soil: These trees prefer deep, moist, slightly acidic soil but are remarkably adaptable to heavy clay. If you have sandy soil, mix in finished compost to help hold moisture, as Sweetgums do not like to dry out completely.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide 10 to 15 gallons of water per week to ensure the deep taproot establishes properly. Once mature, Sweetgums are moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the summer can lead to early leaf drop or "scorched" leaf edges. To keep the tree healthy, give it a deep soaking during any dry spells that last longer than two weeks.

Pruning Tips

Sweetgums typically require very little pruning because they naturally maintain a strong central leader and a symmetrical, pyramidal shape. If you need to remove crossing branches or lower limbs for clearance, do so in late winter while the tree is dormant to prevent excessive sap bleeding. Think of pruning as a "structural tune-up" that allows better airflow and prevents storm damage by removing weak branch attachments.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 formula) 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, making it susceptible to winter kill.

Delivery and Shipping

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

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Drought resistant, Edible, Fast-growing, Fragrant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	60-70 ft
Width	40-50 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Red, Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Liquidambar styraciflua
Species	styraciflua
Class	Sapindales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Outstanding accent! One of North America's finest and most colorful native species trees for fall color is the showy American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)! Nature Hills Nursery is proud to grow and sell this majestic national treasure for use in either residential or commercial landscapes!

From a distance, American Sweetgum is a graceful presence. You'll admire the energetic form all year long, with strong, upturned branches on bold display. Young star-shaped leaves add a dazzling green cloak all season. These perfectly noticeable leaves feature personable notches along the margins. The leaves are very aromatic when crushed or bruised!

Sometimes spelled Sweet Gum, and having many names depending on your region, including American Storax, Redgum, Satin-Walnut, Star-Leaved Gum, and Alligatorwood, Sweetgum trees have a lot of character! American Sweetgum leaves turn fiery reds through plum purples, spiced gold and harvest orange to celebrate the end of the season.

Spring brings upright red/green flower clusters that transform into green, and then brown spikey balls. Even if you live in the warmer part of its range, you'll be treated with a reliable fall performance. Over time, you'll even be able to feel good about feeding local songbirds with their famous Sweetgum seed fruit balls.

Planting and Application:

These aren't "cookie-cutter" trees, but rather become a special accent or focal point to relish. With a long history as a great shade and specimen tree for landscape curb appeal, these native trees also have several medicinal qualities and produce fine lumber. They earned their name because the dried sap produced a sweet, chewy treat similar to chewing gum.

Add one as a destination at the end of a planned garden walk. You'll be astounded at the color play in fall...each leaf is draped in a different color! Why not place an outdoor fire pit nearby and include a ring of wood stumps for an annual sing-along?

These special trees look right at home in a park-like corporate campus, as well as maximize the diversity of species in your plantings to create a wise landscaping investment by adding an informal grouping. One planted in your front lawn, with a wide mulched bed to catch the spikey balls that drop, will cast cooling shade and become a prominent feature in your home's landscape all year long!

Distinctive Star-Shaped Leaves
Upright, Stately Form - Break-Resistant Branches!
Fall Color is a Vibrant Mix of Red, Orange, Purple & Yellow
Grows Quickly & Valuable Timber
Used for Chewing Gum in the Past
Native Tree Supports Local Wildlife with Shelter & Food
Shade, Specimen, Large Accent & Great Native Tree

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Sweetgum Trees need full sun, but young trees can handle some part shade, especially afternoon shade and the dappled shade of an understory setting. Until they outgrow their neighbors that is!

Plant Sweetgum in well-drained native soil with regular moisture throughout their first couple of years in the ground. Once established, however, Sweetgum can tolerate both moist soil and periodic drought, plus they have some salt, alkaline, and clay tolerance as long as it has good drainage. Add a 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch over the soil surface, spread out to the dripline (ends of the branches) but please avoid piling it up against the trunk.

Prune if needed when dormant to remove broken branches, but wait a bit later in the spring (when you see leaves forming) before trimming any live branches. Otherwise, similar to Maple trees, it will result in sticky sap dripping and oozing.

Upright, Stately Form & Strongest Limbs in Full Sun & Part Shade
Tolerates Moist Soils & Periodic Drought
Widely Adaptable to a Wide Range of Well-Drained Soil Conditions
Pruning Best Done In Spring
Pest Resistant, Salt & Clay Conditions

Perhaps best of all, American Sweetgum is easy to grow, and puts on height for shade quickly. Order yours from the Nature Hills native tree specialists today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How tall and wide do sweetgum trees get when fully mature?

Sweetgum trees typically reach 60-75 feet tall with a 40-50 foot spread at maturity. These large shade trees develop their full size over 20-30 years of growth. Plan for plenty of space when planting, as they make excellent specimen trees but need room to showcase their natural form.

Do sweetgum trees need full sun or can they tolerate partial shade?

Sweetgum trees perform best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade conditions. While they'll grow in shadier spots, you'll get the most vibrant fall colors and strongest growth with 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. For optimal results, choose a sunny location when selecting your sweetgum at naturehills.com.

What type of soil conditions do sweetgum trees prefer?

Sweetgum trees adapt to a wide range of soil conditions but perform best in moist, well-draining soil. They tolerate both acidic and slightly alkaline soils. For optimal growth, plant in fertile soil with consistent moisture, though established trees show good drought tolerance.

What are good companion plants to grow near sweetgum trees?

Sweetgum trees pair well with understory plants that tolerate their deep shade and compete successfully with their roots. Consider native woodland perennials like wild ginger, coral bells, and ferns, or spring bulbs that bloom before the canopy leafs out. Plant companions at least 6-8 feet from the trunk to avoid root competition.

Do sweetgum trees have any common pest or disease problems I should know about?

Sweetgum trees are generally hardy with few serious pest or disease issues. They may occasionally face scale insects or leaf spot in humid conditions. Proper spacing for air circulation and well-draining soil prevent most problems with these resilient natives available at naturehills.com.

Do sweetgum trees need regular fertilizing and what type should I use?

Sweetgum trees rarely need fertilizing once established, as they're adaptable natives that thrive in most soils. If growth seems slow, apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring. Focus instead on proper watering and mulching for best results.

Is sweet gum good firewood?

Sweetgum burns well but produces a lot of smoke and sparks due to its resin content. The wood splits easily when seasoned and provides decent heat output. Allow freshly cut sweetgum to dry for at least a year before burning, and use it mixed with other hardwoods for best results.