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Sweetgum Tree

Availability : Pre-Order
Availability : In Stock
$87.49
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  • Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 60 - 80 Feet
  • Mature Spread 40 - 60 Feet
  • Growing Zones 5 - 9
  • Use As A Thriller In Containers

Sweetgum Tree, known botanically as Liquidambar styraciflua, is a fast-growing shade tree famed for its star-shaped leaves that deliver a spectacular fall display. Reaching about 60–75 feet tall, it forms a broad oval or rounded crown that transforms outdoor spaces into shady retreats. In spring, the glossy green leaves emerge, later turning striking shades of yellow, orange, and deep reds in autumn. Spiky seed pods appear once the tree matures, adding unique interest—though they can be a bit messy in high-traffic lawns. Many choose Sweetgum Tree for its combination of quick growth, colorful foliage, and relative tolerance to wet or compacted soils.

Sweetgum Tree is a hardy tree with moderate resistance to drought once established. Native to the southeastern United States, it adapts readily to acidic or neutral soils, preferring moist, well-drained conditions. It provides habitat for birds and small wildlife, and its seeds feed species like goldfinches and squirrels during the colder months. Use this tree along property edges for a natural privacy screen, plant as a specimen in lawns or spacious courtyards, or position in groves to create a striking woodland effect.

Sweetgum Tree Care

For best results, choose a sunny location where Sweetgum Tree receives at least six hours of light per day. It prefers slightly acidic soil with moderate organic matter, though it can manage in a variety of well-drained soils. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the first few growing seasons to help develop a deep root system. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth is sluggish or the soil is lacking nutrients. The tree handles seasonal flooding but may develop chlorosis if pH levels are too high, so check your soil’s pH if you notice leaf yellowing.

Pruning involves removing damaged or crossed limbs during late winter or very early spring. Heavy pruning can stimulate sap flow, which is mostly a cosmetic issue. Thinning the crown can help maintain good airflow and reduce potential limb breakage in older specimens. In containers, regular root pruning might be needed if the tree is kept for several years, but in-ground planting is generally recommended for a mature sweetgum.

Sweetgum Tree Spacing

Leave 30 to 40 feet between each Sweetgum Tree if you’re planting a row or a stand in a larger landscape, allowing each tree’s canopy to develop fully. For containers, a pot at least 20 to 24 inches wide can support younger trees for a few seasons, but expect to transplant to open ground once the trunk thickens. This spacing ensures ample room for each sweetgum’s roots, trunk, and signature autumn display to shine.


Sweetgum Tree Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 60 - 80 Feet
Mature Spread: 40 - 60 Feet
Spacing: 30 - 40 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Green, Yellow
Flower Description: Greenish-Yellow (Small, Inconspicuous Flowers)
Bloom Period: Early Spring
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Foliage Color(s): Green, Purple, Red
Foliage Description: Glossy, star-shaped; vibrant fall colors.
Seasonal Interest: Fall Flowering
Watering: Consistent
Resists: Deer, Pests & Insects
Tolerates: Heat, Drought
Attracts: Birds
Container Role: Thriller
Uses: Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens, Windbreaks
Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America
Brand:
Common Name: Sweetgum Tree
Other Name(s): American Sweetgum, Redgum, Star-leaved Gum
Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
SKU:
1231021458-pc

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot

Quart Pot

Also Known As:
Quart

Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year

Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"

Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W

Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot

Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old

Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"

Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W

Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon

Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old

Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"

Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W

Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon

Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old

Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"

Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W

Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon

Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old

Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"

Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W

Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot

#5 Pot

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon

Plant Age:
~3-4 years old

Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"

Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W

Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Plant Shipping

Pre-Ordered Plants

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.

Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule

Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.

Growing Zone Estimated Ship Week
Zone 10March 24th
Zone 9March 31st
Zone 8April 7th
Zone 7April 14th
Zone 6bApril 21st
Zone 6aApril 28th
Zone 5bMay 5th
Zone 5aMay 12th
Zone 4May 19th
Zone 3May 26th

Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.

Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.

Plants Shipping Now

Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.