The starry Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar) is a four-season stunner with unmatched fall color, signature star-shaped leaves, and sculptural beauty. This native hardwood tree has been a landscape favorite for generations! Its upright, stately habit and dazzling foliage deliver shade, wildlife value, and architectural interest across urban and rural settings alike.
From improved cultivars that reduce gum ball drop to compact columnar selections ideal for small spaces, today's Sweetgum varieties offer modern solutions to age-old tree problems. Whether you're seeking bold autumn tones, tidy structure, or a fast-growing shade tree, Sweetgum delivers it all, with enduring strength, unique texture, and nostalgic appeal.
Top 10 Sweetgum Trees At Nature Hills
1. American Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The classic native species that started it all, wildly colorful and full of personality.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 60 - 70 feet
- Width: 40 - 50 feet
- Foliage: Five-pointed star leaves with orange, yellow, red, and purple in fall
- Best For: Large lots, naturalized settings, wildlife
- Notable Features: Iconic gum ball-like seed pods; high ecological value
2. Burgundy Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Burgundy’)
Known for its consistent, deep wine-colored fall foliage, even in warm climates.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 40 - 60 feet
- Width: 20 - 30 feet
- Foliage: Glossy green leaves deepen into rich maroon from late summer to frost
- Best For: Zones with mild fall temps; showy shade tree
- Notable Features: Retains color longer than most Sweetgums
3. Festival Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Festival')
A smaller, more compact variety with dazzling pink, orange, and purple fall color.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 40 - 50 feet
- Width: 15 - 20 feet
- Foliage: Glossy green to brilliant multicolor in autumn
- Best For: Smaller suburban yards, colorful borders
- Notable Features: Uniform shape; manageable size
4. Palo Alto Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto')
This California darling delivers an upright form and bright scarlet foliage.
- USDA Zone 6-9
- Height: 40 - 45 feet
- Width: 15 -20 feet
- Foliage: Vivid red tones in fall
- Best For: West Coast landscapes; classic street or lawn tree
- Notable Features: Quick-growing; low-maintenance, adaptable to high moisture
5. Moraine Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Moraine')
A robust, cold-hardy selection with superior adaptability and uniform shape.
- USDA Zones 5-8
- Height: 50 - 60 feet
- Width: 30 - 40 feet
- Foliage: Green foliage turns brilliant orange, red, and purple
- Best For: Northern gardeners; shade and specimen use
- Notable Features: Symmetrical branching
6. Happidaze® Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Happdell')
This patented variety is prized for reduced fruit production and bold leaf color.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 45 - 60 feet
- Width: 25 - 30 feet
- Foliage: Vibrant mix of gold, orange, and red in fall
- Best For: Landscapes that dislike spiny seed balls
- Notable Features: Low-maintenance and neater than standard forms
7. Burgundy Blush Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy Blush')
A charming cultivar that blends deep purples with soft pinkish-red hues.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 50 - 60 feet
- Width: 25 - 40 feet
- Foliage: Burgundy tones with a blush overlay
- Best For: Accent planting, fall interest
- Notable Features: Highly ornamental; elegant form
8. Round-Lobed Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba')
A unique form with rounded leaf lobes, resembling a Maple more than a classic Sweetgum.
- USDA Zone 6-9
- Height: 40 - 50 feet
- Width: 25 - 30 feet
- Foliage: Deep green with vivid fall transition
- Best For: Woodland gardens, historic landscapes
- Notable Features: Rare foliage shape; native interest
9. Worplesdon Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon')
A refined European variety known for consistent purple-red fall tones.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: 40 - 45 feet
- Width: 20 - 25 feet
- Foliage: Green to deep claret in autumn
- Best For: Urban planting, formal design
- Notable Features: Straight trunk and reliable performance
10. Slender Silhouette Sweetgum Tree
(Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette')
This striking cultivar offers an ultra-narrow, columnar form perfect for tight spaces, screens, or vertical accents.
- USDA Zone 5-9
- Height: Up to 50 feet tall, only 5 - 6 feet wide!
- Foliage: Star-shaped leaves turn rich burgundy, gold, orange, and deep red in fall.
- Best For: Small yards, privacy rows, architectural planting
- Notable Features: Almost fruitless; great for urban landscapes!
Ten Sweet Perks of Sweetgum Trees
Why do gardeners, arborists, and designers keep choosing Sweetgums?
- Fall Color Powerhouse: Unmatched autumn displays in burgundy, orange, red, and gold.
- Shade Hero: Their broad canopy cools homes and yards, reducing energy costs.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, these trees need little more than seasonal cleanup and occasional water.
- Great for Wildlife: Birds and squirrels feed on the seed balls; pollinators shelter in the branches.
- Air Cleaners: Sweetgums improve air quality and absorb pollutants.
- Storm Tough: With deep roots and strong wood, they stand firm in storms.
- Unique Leaf Shape: The five-pointed, star-shaped leaves add a whimsical and distinct texture.
- Cultural & Medicinal History: Native Americans used Sweetgum resin as chewing gum and for its antiseptic properties.
- Excellent for Erosion Control: Their fibrous root systems stabilize soil on slopes.
- Four-Season Beauty: From spring buds to winter silhouette, they provide year-round appeal.
How To Plant and Care For Sweetgum Trees
Sweetgum Trees are remarkably resilient once established, but a bit of thoughtful planting and early care will set them up for a long, colorful life.
Planting Tips
- Site Selection: Choose a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Most Sweetgum varieties prefer acidic to slightly neutral, well-drained soil.
- Spacing: Give your tree room to grow! Standard varieties may need 30-50 feet between them and nearby trees or structures. Columnar types like Slender Silhouette need far less horizontal space.
- Soil Preparation: Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost or organic matter. Sweetgums thrive in loamy, slightly moist ground.
How to Plant a Sweetgum Tree
- Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball.
- Gently loosen the roots and position the tree so the root flare (where roots meet trunk) is at ground level.
- Backfill with native soil, mixed with compost if desired, and gently tamp to eliminate air pockets.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Apply a generous layer of arborist mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. This helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watering & Maintenance
- Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture before watering: stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. (Watch how-to: Finger Test video)
- Keep young trees well-watered their first year, especially during dry spells.
- Mature Sweetgums are drought-tolerant but benefit from deep watering during prolonged heat and drought.
- Prune in late winter to shape or remove damaged limbs.
Managing Sweetgum Seed Pods The Easy Way!
One of the most common hesitations about planting Sweetgum Trees is the spiky seed pods they drop, often called “gum balls”. While these can be a nuisance underfoot or during cleanup, they're far from a deal-breaker with the right approach.
Here’s how to handle them like a pro:
-
Choose Low or No-Fruit Varieties: New cultivars like Happidaze® and Slender Silhouette are bred for reduced or nearly eliminated seed pod production.
-
Mulch-Mow in Fall: Run a mulching mower over fallen pods to break them into bits that blend into the soil and decompose naturally.
-
Rake with Ease: Use a stiff metal rake or a landscape sweeper tool to quickly gather pods from lawns or paths.
-
Strategic Placement: Plant traditional Sweetgums away from patios, sidewalks, or driveways to avoid pod-prone zones.
- Add Arborist Mulch beneath the canopy so seed balls fall into mulch instead of turf, making cleanup a breeze.
In exchange for a few spiny souvenirs, you’ll gain decades of unmatched beauty, shade, and fall brilliance. The benefits far outweigh the seasonal mess, and newer cultivars make it easier than ever to enjoy Sweetgums without the fuss.
Seed Pod Pick-Up Tools That Work
-
Golf Ball Collectors (like the Kollectaball or Golf Ball Pick-Up Tools):
These rolling cage-style devices easily capture Sweetgum pods in grassy areas. Their wire baskets flex just enough to grab the spiny gum balls and hold them securely until dumped into a bin. -
Gravel Pick-Up Rakes or Rolling Sweepers:
Designed for uneven surfaces and stony areas, these rolling sweepers are excellent for collecting gum balls on gravel driveways or bare soil. Many have adjustable tines and large collection baskets. -
Nut Gatherers (Nut Rollers):
Tools marketed for pecans, black walnuts, or acorns also work well on Sweetgum pods. Look for medium to large cage sizes for best results.
Pro Tips for Using These Tools
- Use them after leaves have fallen but before snowfall, when the ground is clear.
- Best used on short grass or hard surfaces for maximum contact with the pods.
- Empty frequently to prevent overfilling or jamming the collection cage.
These tools don’t just save your back, they make Sweetgum cleanup faster, more efficient, and surprisingly satisfying. Many folks report that their kids even enjoy using them as a game.
These Trees Stick Around For Good Reason
From narrow growers to vibrant focal points, Sweetgum Trees offer more than good looks; they bring structure, seasonal drama, and ecological value. They're resilient, regal, and a true gift from Ma Nature. With so many refined cultivars now available, there's a Sweetgum to fit nearly every yard.
Plant one today and let your landscape glow with starry leaves and sweet style for generations!
Happy Planting!
