Sweetgum Tree | Liquidambar styraciflua
Truly special autumn displays
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Sweetgum Tree
Liquidambar styraciflua
- Sweetgum trees are beautifully shaped and unrivalled for autumn displays of colour
- Star-shaped foliage, aromatic when bruised,Ā emerges bright emerald green in spring and darkens as it matures. In autumn the tree is a riot of brilliant orange, red and purple tones and bristly gum balls adorn the tree throughout winter
- Winner of RHS Award of Garden Merit
- A dense, rounded pyramidal crown makes this an excellent specimen shade tree
- Fully hardy and resistant to pests and diseases, Sweetgum will grow happily in almost any soil
- Flowers throughout spring
- Grows up to 12x8m
- Sweetgum trees have attractive fissured bark that develops deep ridges as the tree matures. The name 'Sweetgum' comes from theĀ sticky, sweetly fragrant resinĀ they produce if cut.Ā
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch.
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Sweetgum Tree can be grown in a pot initially. Start with a 50cm pot. Depending on its vigour, it may need moving to the ground after a few years. Ensure adequate drainage and water regularly during warm weather above 20Ā°C.
How big does it get?
The Sweetgum Tree grows to a mature height of 15 to 20 metres, with a spread of 10 to 12 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Sweetgum Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Sweetgum Tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5Ā°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Sweetgum Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25Ā°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Sweetgum Tree should be pruned in late winter or early spring while dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
How hardy is this plant?
Liquidambar styraciflua is fully hardy with an RHS rating of H6, withstanding temperatures from -15Ā°C to -20Ā°C across the UK.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, itās fair to say Mikeās done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, weāre proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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