Melinda Myers

American Sweetgum

Botanical Name

Liquidambar styraciflua

Min Zone

5

Max Zone

9

Height

60 to 75 feet

Width

40 to 75 feet

Flowers

May: monoecious, yellow-green, not showy

Fruit

1 to 1.5 inch spiny ball

Fall Color

Orange, red, burgundy, purple

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Deep, moist, well-drained, acidic

Planting & Care

• Transplant balled and burlap or container grown in spring
• Fleshy root system takes a while to establish
• Because of wide geographical range, it is important to use northern nursery sources when growing in the north

Problems

Chlorosis in high pH soils, fruit litter, -20 degrees causes dieback

Varieties

• Cherokee (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Ward') - nearly fruitless  form, dark green leaves turn burgundy-red in fall, corky bark characteristics
• Gold Dust (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Goduzam') - green leaves with gold speckled variegation, probably Zone 5b
• Moraine - most hardy variety, upright oval compact growth, bright red fall color
• Rotundiloba - nearly fruitless form named for leaves with rounded lobes, Zone 6