Species sweet gum
Green leaves with burgundy petiole, burgundy-green stems, yellow midrib and veins.

sweet gum

Liquidambar acalycina

Sweet gum (Liquidambar acalycina) is an attractive broadleaf deciduous tree with a rounded outline and widely-spaced branches. It is native to the east and southeast parts of the United States and can reach a height of 50-80 feet. The trunk is typically gray and smooth and the glossy leaves are dark green in summertime and yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The tree's namesake is the sweet-smelling gum it produces that can be harvested for medicinal and culinary purposes. Its mature fruits are spiny balls that contain winged seeds, which can make an excellent conversation piece.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Liquidambar acalycina typically begins in late September and continues through October.

Starts Flowering

Sweet gum trees typically start flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map