sweet gum
Liquidambar acalycina
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
6 - 9
Flowers:
Yellowish-green Flowers
Sun:
Full sun
Fruits:
green,yellow,orange,brown Fruits Ready In
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,red,yellow,orange
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Sweet Gums should be watered deeply once a week. To do this, water the soil thoroughly, letting it soak until the surface of the soil looks dry. During warm periods of weather, such as in summer, this may need to be done more frequently. Avoid overwatering - this can cause root rot and stress the plant. In cooler times of the year (such as from fall to early spring) this can be dropped to once every 2 weeks.
sunlight
Sweet gum (Liquidambar acalycina) requires direct sunlight in order to grow and thrive, so it should be planted in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. During summer months, the sweet gum should receive approximately 8 hours of sunlight a day, whereas in winter it can do with 6-7 hours. To promote the best growth, it should be sheltered from strong winds, especially during hot summer afternoons. Sweet gum grows best when it is assured 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, depending on the season.
pruning
Sweet gum should be pruned during the late winter months before new growth begins. Aim to prune back about 1-third of the branches on the tree each year in order to maintain a healthy structure and size. Cut off any dead, diseased, or damaged branches and also branches that are crossing over 1 another. To ensure the health of the tree, prune in a manner that allows sunlight to reach the interior of the canopy.
