Sweetgum, Bare Root

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

A large deciduous tree with star-shaped leaves and variable red, orange, or purple fall color. Its spiny seed balls are a habitat resource best placed away from frequently used walking surfaces.

Key Characteristics

Giant moths use the leaves

Imperial moth and hickory horned devil caterpillars feed on sweetgum foliage. Their adults do not feed, so the larval host stage is essential.

Look inside a seed ball

American goldfinches eat the small seeds, and birds can probe persistent fruiting structures for invertebrates. Retain some where leaf litter and fallen fruits are welcome.

Choose a site that can keep the litter

Leave clearance from driveways, patios, and play spaces. A broad restoration planting is a better fit than a small paved courtyard.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern United States into Mexico and Central America
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial tree
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade
• Soil moisture: Medium-Dry; Medium; Medium-Wet
• Mature height: 60–100 feet; varies with seedling and site
• Bloom time: March–April–May
• Bloom color: Green, Yellow
• USDA hardiness zones: 5–9
• Fruit or seed: Spiny woody balls containing small seeds; wildlife food, not an edible fruit crop.
• Pollination: Wind-pollinated; no named companion is required for landscape use.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting and spread roots without bending them into a tight hole. Water during establishment, mulch clear of the trunk, and protect young trees from browsing and mowing damage. Base feeding on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when needed.

Avoid root compaction and inspect stressed growth for disease or insect damage. Plan for fallen fruit before planting. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. These are seedlings rather than selected clones, so growth, flowering, and fruiting vary.