Sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua)

PLANT INFORMATION

Plant Size: 3 Gallon pot

Name: Sweetgum – Liquidamber styraciflua

Type: Tree

The American sweetgum — with its star-shaped leaves, neatly compact crown, interesting fruit, and twigs with unique corky growths called wings — is known for its beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple in the autumn, keeping its fall leaves late into the season.

DISEASE, PEST AND DEER RESISTANCE

Deer and rabbit resistant.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Intolerant of shade. Makes an excellent shade tree. Must be planted in a large area with room to grow.

Value to Wildlife and Insects

American sweetgum seeds are eaten by eastern goldfinches, purple finches, sparrows, mourning doves, northern bobwhites and wild turkeys. Small mammals such as chipmunks, red squirrels and gray squirrels also enjoy the fruits and seeds.

ADDITIONAL FACTS UNIQUE TO THE SPECIES (IF ANY)

The common name of sweet gum refers to an aromatic balsam or gum that exudes from wounds to the tree.