Sweet gum trees are native throughout the eastern U.S. to central Florida and east Texas.
The fall color of this tree still develops without cold temperatures in warmer climate areas.
This attractive deciduous tree isnt as popular as it once was due to its reputation for being messy.
Credit:DEAN SCHOEPPNER
The spikey seed pods can be a problem in lawn and patio areas by making foot traffic difficult.
However, some seedless cultivars are available.
It grows best inneutral to acidic soilthat is moist but well-draining.
Credit:DEAN SCHOEPPNER
Choose an uncrowded space; these trees need a large area for root development.
And place them where their gumballs won’t become annoying when they fall to the ground.
How and When to Plant Sweet Gum
Plant sweet gum trees in spring.
This is a shallow-rooted tree, and the roots need several months to recover from transplanting.
Choose aballed and burlapped treebecause of the shallow root system.
The roots use that first growing season to become established.
Remove any protective cover, but leave the burlap in place until the tree is positioned in the hole.
Top the soil with 2 to 3 inches of mulch.
Apply supplemental water to the new plants the first year, being sure that dry soil receives water.
Water these shade trees during drought to prevent dieback.
The tree tolerates heat and humidity well.
Add the compost or fertilizer to the top of the soil and water it.
Dont dig it in; you might damage the shallow roots.
Pruning
Prune the treein mid-to-late summer to remove any low-growing branches to make mowing easier.
Remove damaged and dead branches when you see them.
Drought and cold temperatures can do some damage to the tree too.
How to Propagate Sweet Gum Trees
Collect the gumballs in early fall before they open.
The seeds can be stored in the refrigerator until needed.
Sweet gum tree seeds need a 30-to-60-day period ofcold stratification.
Then, they can be planted in nursery containers in a sheltered area to produce seedlings.
It is not as cold hardy as the species tree but grows well in Zones 6-9.
It is particularly well adapted to the Deep South.
‘Gold Star’
Liquidambar styracifluaGold Star produces a lovely yellow fall color.
This tree is narrower than the species and grows up to 60 feet tall.
It’s cold-hardy to Zone 5 and provides an attractive vertical accent to the landscape.
‘Rotuniloba’
Liquidambar styraciflua Rotundilobagrows 60 to 75 feet high and 20-30 feet wide in Zones 5-9.
The foliage turns yellow to burgundy in the fall.
Small mammals such as chipmunks and squirrels also eat the seeds.
Many moth species, including the luna moth, use the sweet gum as a larval host plant.
The common name sweet gum refers to the aromatic gum that oozes from wounds on the tree.
