Sweetgum trees are also known as American Storax, Hazel Pine, Bilsted, Redgum, Satin-Walnut, Star-Leaved, Alligatorwood, but scientifically called Liquidambar styraciflua. Continue reading to learn some basic facts about these highly admired neighborhood trees.

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Sweetgum trees are widely popular for their beautiful displays of bountiful foliage. Leaves the colors of purples, yellows, oranges, and reds are amazing to witness come summer and fall, every year. They also commonly attract the local neighborhood wildlife, like squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. For those who enjoy nature, both interactively and aesthetically, will not regret a Sweetgum tree addition to their landscaping! Continue reading to learn more about Sweetgum trees, including how to care for them.

What They Look Like

Sweetgum trees are normally very tall. They have straight, single standing trunks that can grow as tall as 75 feet or more on average. In its early years, a Sweetgum tree has a canopy that is almost pyramidal in shape, but eventually, it rounds out to a fuller canopy as it matures, making them the prefect shade and privacy trees for any landscape.

In fact, they are easy to recognize just by observing their leaves. Their leaves are lobed, with anywhere from 5 to 7 lobes. Many people think their leaves resemble stars. Once mature, leaves usually measure between 4 and 7 inches wide. In the fall, Sweetgum trees retain their leaves and foliage colors longer than most other deciduous tree species. Sweetgum trees also have seed pods. These seed pods are often referred to as “stickerballs”, and viewed mostly as a nuisance due to their spiky appearance and nasty prick.

How to Plant Them

Sweetgum trees have shallow roots, so planting them near sidewalks and curbs can be problematic once the tree fully matures. Their roots can lift concrete slabs and damage surfaces. This is why they are not recommended to be used as street trees. It is wise to plant Sweetgum trees at least 10 feet from any pavement, including driveways, pool decks, and paved patios. Not only can their roots be invasive and cause damage, their seed pods are a hazard because they can prick and cause slip and fall accidents.

The best location to plant a Sweetgum tree is in an open area of landscape that gets full to partial sun at least 6 hours every day. Soil conditions are not too much of an influence since they tend to grow well in almost all soils, so long as they are in U.S. Hardiness zones 5 through 9. They take well and grow quickly so long as you water them regularly in their early years. Once established, they basically take care of themselves and very little maintenance is required.

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