sweet gum

For sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis), water when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Water deeply but not too often (every 1-2 weeks) for best results. Water the whole root ball thoroughly and allow the top few inches to dry out before watering again. During the warmer months it will probably need more frequent watering (every 7-10 days) and during the cooler months less frequent (every 2-3 weeks).

Sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis) doesn’t need a lot of sunlight, but still needs some in order to grow properly. The optimal amount of sunlight is about 5-6 hours a day, so making sure it gets enough light is important. Sweet gum trees thrive best in dappled light, which means morning sun is ideal — with some shade in the afternoons. In hotter climates, it is best to place sweet gum trees in more shaded areas. If the tree is in an area that gets direct sun for more than 6 hours, it can be beneficial to provide the tree with some light shade in the late afternoon to help it to withstand the heat better.

Sweet gum trees should be pruned twice a year to maintain their shape and health and to keep them from growing too large. Prune in late winter or early spring and then again in late summer. In the winter or early spring, pruning should focus on removing dead, damaged, and crossing branches. Prune away branches that are not in line with the desired shape of the tree. Prune any branches that compete with the main structure of the tree. In the late summer, thin out the inner canopy of the sweet gum tree. This will help increase air flow throughout the tree. When thinning out the inner canopy, be careful not to remove too many branches at once. The amount of pruning will depend on the size and structure of the tree.