Sweetgum Tree Plant Care

Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) belongs to the Altingiaceae family within the Liquidambar genus. Sweetgum Tree is native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America. Sweetgum Tree is also known as American Sweetgum, Sweetgum, Redgum.

Sweetgum Tree displays a tall, deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 80 ft tall with a spread of approximately 40 ft. Sweetgum Tree produces inconspicuous flowers, prized for colorful autumn foliage.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sweetgum Tree every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sweetgum Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Liquidambar styraciflua tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Sweetgum Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sweetgum Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sweetgum Tree every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sweetgum Tree is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sweetgum Tree can spread to about 40 ft (12.2 m) and reach about 80 ft (24 m) tall. Space plants about 40 ft (12.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Sweetgum Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Sweetgum Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Sweetgum Tree can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Sweetgum Tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Sweetgum Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Sweetgum Tree is native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America.