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

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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.

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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

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Plant specifications
Botanical Name	Liquidambar styraciflua
Class	Sapindales
Species	styraciflua
Growing Zones	5-9
Height	60-70 ft
Width	40-50 ft
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate	Moderate
Flower Color	Red, Green
Leaf Color	Green, Red, Orange, Purple
Fall Color	Yellow, Orange, Red & Purple
Native	Yes
Fragrant	Yes
Bloom Period	Late Spring
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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Growing Zones 5-9

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extremely adaptable

This is the most gorgeous tree. I have seen it potted for the front porch (stays small), seen it in pastures, seen it in 6 of snow as well as in the desert. As long as it has enough water, this tree just grows! And as for fall colors, breathtaking!

Dear California M.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Sweetgum tree! We’re delighted to hear how adaptable and stunning this tree has been in a variety of environments—from porch pots to snowy pastures to deserts. It’s truly a fantastic choice, especially with its striking fall colors that make driving seasons extra special.

Your note about ample water being key is absolutely spot on. Sweetgums thrive best when given consistent moisture, especially in hotter or drier areas. For container planting, regular watering and occasional fertilizing can help maintain a compact, healthy tree that excels right on your porch.

If you’d like, we have some great resources on seasonal care and pruning tips for Sweetgum trees on our website. Please feel free to reach out anytime—we love helping green thumbs like you flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Good!

I think that the Sweet Gum tree is a really awesome tree! It was somewhat easy to plant and looks really good in my yard!

Dear Turdburgler,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Sweetgum tree! We’re delighted to hear that you found it both appealing and fairly easy to plant. Sweetgums truly are fantastic trees, known for their stunning autumn foliage and unique spiky seed pods, which can add wonderful texture to your yard.

As your Sweetgum continues to grow, make sure to water it regularly, especially during its first couple of years, and watch for signs of stress during dry spells. Mulching around the base can also help retain moisture and protect the roots. If you ever want tips on upgrading your tree care routine or expanding your garden with complementary plants, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Thank you again for choosing Nature Hills for your gardening journey. We’re thrilled to be part of your growing landscape.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Sweet Gum Tree

I enjoyed the article. There should have been pictures of the little balls also. This is the second year that my tree has produced them. I use them to decorate my front door. I think that my tree is beatuful!

Hi Saw,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and kind words about your Sweetgum tree! We're delighted to hear it’s thriving and that you enjoy using those distinctive sweetgum balls for decorating your front door—they really do add a unique and natural charm.

You’re right; pictures of the sweetgum seed pods would have been a great addition to our article. We appreciate the suggestion and will consider including them to better showcase the full beauty of this fascinating tree. If you’d like, we can also send you a link to a gallery with more images and care tips to help you continue enjoying your tree’s seasonal gifts.

Keep up the gorgeous work with your tree, and if you ever have questions about care, pruning, or attracting wildlife with your Sweetgum, we're always here to help!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Pleasantly surprised

Surprised how fast mine is growing. Fall leaves are spectacular!

Dear Dirty Gladys,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Sweetgum Tree! We’re thrilled to hear that it’s growing quickly and that you’re enjoying those spectacular fall leaves—they truly make a yard special. To keep your Sweetgum healthy and vibrant, be sure to water deeply during dry spells and consider mulching around the base to retain moisture and protect roots.

If you ever want tips on soil care or pruning for your tree's best shape, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to continue supporting your gardening journey!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Pleasantly surprised

Surprised how fast mine is growing. Fall leaves are spectacular!

Hi Dirty G.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Sweetgum Tree! We love hearing how quickly it’s thriving and that you’re enjoying those stunning fall colors—it truly is one of the most beautiful autumn trees. To keep it happy and healthy, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight and regular watering as it continues to establish. Pruning younger branches can help shape the tree and promote even growth. If you ever want more tips on soil care or seasonal maintenance, feel free to reach out—we’re always here to help you get the best results.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

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.

Sweetgum Tree

Liquidambar styraciflua