- 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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 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.