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    • Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua form by Sanchezn

    Photo by Sanchezn

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Liquidambar styraciflua

    Also Known As

    • American Sweet Gum

    Plant type

    tree

    size

    • H: 45'-70'
    • W: 25'-35'

    planting zones

    • 5a-11

    More Options

    Liquidambar styraciflua plant details

    Liquidambar styraciflua is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. and brown fruit. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Liquidambar styraciflua

    Plant type: tree
    Plant family: altingiaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 25 FT - 35 FT - wide, 45 FT - 70 FT - tall
    Uses: fall color

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Liquidambar styraciflua

    USDA Zones: 5a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Commonly called sweet gum, this low-maintenance deciduous shade tree makes an excellent symmetrical specimen. Native to the moist low woods and streams from Connecticut to Florida and over to Texas. Average growth to 60-80' tall with a straight trunk and glossy deeply-lobed green leaves. Fall color is gorgeous with a dazzling mixture of yellows, oranges, purples and reds; ball-shaped, spiny fruits are decorative for a long time after the leave fall, but can be messy and are not good for any area where you want to go barefoot! The common name of sweet gum refers to a fragrant gum that oozes from wounds or cuts to the tree. S/M

    By: Forestfarm

    A fast growing and easy to grow tree, Sweet Gum is popular for its dense branching habit and colorful fall display of dark red, orange, yellow, and purple. The fall color lasts much longer than many other colorful fall trees (like Maples) and in warmer climates like our nursery the leaves continue to display bright colors for up to two or three months each fall. Sweet Gum trees naturally develop straight trunks and have strong roots that are very wind fast. Having strong, thick leaves that are very resistant to shredding in the wind as well as strong wood makes this a very wind tolerant species, and the dense foliage makes Sweet Gum well suited to forming a wind break when planted in a row.
    The seed pods are solid spheres and are a bit pokey so avoid planting trees in areas where people walk around frequently, especially if they might be barefoot.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    Fall color is variable, but striking on some trees. Widely adapted. Shallow roots may cause problems in turf areas or around sidewalks.

    By: Heritage Seedlings

    Oval to rounded shape, Fall colors orange-red-purple, gumball fruit, tolerates damp soils, Hardy to zone 5

    By: Lael's Moon Garden

    Gardening facts about Liquidambar styraciflua plant

    How to Grow Liquidambar styraciflua

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Fruit

      • brown

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Liquidambar for your garden

    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata'

    aka Liquidambar 'Aurea', Liquidambar styraciflua 'Aurea', Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gold Dust', Liquidambar styraciflua Gold Dust®, Aurea American Sweetgum, Gold Dust Sweetgum, Varieagata American Sweetgum, Variegated Sweetgum Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 30'-60'

    Width: 20'-30'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' foliage by Karl Gercens III
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    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'

    aka Worplesdon Sweet Gum

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 60'-75'

    Width: 35'-50'

    • sun
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' foliage by Karl Gercens III
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    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Silver King'

    aka Silver King Sweetgum

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 60'-75'

    Width: 25'-40'

    • sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua 'Silver King' foliage by Karl Gercens III
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    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gum Ball'

    aka Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball', Gumball Sweet Gum, Gumball Sweetgum

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6'

    Width: 6'

    • sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gum Ball' form by Karl Gercens III
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    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Naree'

    aka Naree Alligator-wood, Naree American Storax, Naree American Sweetgum, Naree Sweetgum

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 30'-40'

    Width: 20'-30'

    • sun
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Liquidambar styraciflua 'Naree' foliage by Karl Gercens III
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    +16 more Liquidambar
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