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American Sweet Gum

Liquidambar Styraciflua

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Overview

The American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) thrives in zones 5-9, reaching up to 60-75 feet tall with a 40-50 feet spread. Notable for its star-shaped leaves and vibrant fall colors, it prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Its spiky gumballs can be a maintenance issue. Provides excellent shade but root system can disrupt pavements. It's deciduous, with a moderate to fast growth rate.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 7–10Type TreeClimate Temperate
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — contributing to its name and lending a sweet; the American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), image 147

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Medium
USDA zones
7–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (170)

American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — but the species is adaptable; reaching up to 60-75 feet tall with a 40-50 feet spread, image 115
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — is a captivating deciduous tree renowned for its stunning fall coloration and distinctive spiky fruit; the
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — but the species is adaptable; reaching up to 60-75 feet tall with a 40-50 feet spread, image 140
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — Its spiky gumballs can be a maintenance issue
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — and purples in the fall.<br><br>One notable feature of the Sweet Gum is its corky bark, image 113
American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) — the leaves and twigs emit a fragrant resin when bruised; ensuring there is ample space for, image 96
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Liquidambar Styraciflua
Photographs by 3 contributors

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