Liquidamber leaves and seed balls. Getty Images

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet gum

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Fruits
Fruits

Plant does not fruit in January

Plant does not fruit in February

Plant does not fruit in March

Plant does not fruit in April

Plant does not fruit in May

Plant does not fruit in June

Plant does not fruit in July

Plant does not fruit in August

Plant does fruit in September

Plant does fruit in October

Plant does not fruit in November

Plant does not fruit in December

  • Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua
  • Common name: Sweet gum
  • Family: Hamamelidaceae
  • Plant Type: Tree, Deciduous
Foliage colour:

Bronze

Green

Purple

Liquidambar styraciflua (sweet gum) originates from eastern USA and was originally introduced to the UK in the 17th Century. It’s one of the best trees for autumn leaf colour. As temperatures fall in autumn, its large, lobed, maple-like leaves turn from green to glowing shades of orange, red, yellow, or purple.

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The species is a tall-growing deciduous tree that needs plenty of space to grow – ultimate height ranges from 10m to more than 20m, with trees taking around 15-20 years to mature. However, many different cultivars have been bred since it was introduced, offering a range of features such as varying autumn leaf colours, variegated foliage, a narrower or columnar habit, and a smaller overall size. In recent years, sterile cultivars have been bred. These are useful where sweet gum is grown as a specimen tree in a lawn, as the seed balls are hard and prickly, and can cause discomfort underfoot.

The narrowest variety is ‘Slender Silhouette’, which forms a tight column 1-1.5m wide. ‘Lane Roberts’, ‘Slender Silhouette’ and ‘Worplesdon’ have been awarded the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Award of Garden Merit.

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Liquidambar styraciflua is easy to grow in good, fertile soil that is moisture-retentive and well drained. It does not thrive in chalky soils.

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Advice on buying Liquidambar styraciflua

  • Make sure you have enough space to grow Liquidambar styraciflua – some cultivars can reach ultimately reach 20m x 5m
  • You’re likely to find Quercus robur at a specialist tree nursery or online. Always buy trees from a reputable supplier that sells British-grown or certified disease-free stock, to guarantee against pests and diseases
  • Look out for bare root plants that can be bought and planted in the dormant season – these are usually cheaper

Where to buy Liquidambar styraciflua

How to grow Liquidambar styraciflua

  • Plant size

    200m height

    50m spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, east facing, west facing

  • Position in border

    Back

  • Sun exposure: Full shade, partial shade

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Plant
Plant

Do Plant in January

Do Plant in February

Do Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do not Plant in May

Do not Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do Plant in October

Do Plant in November

Do Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Fruits
Fruits

Plant does not fruit in January

Plant does not fruit in February

Plant does not fruit in March

Plant does not fruit in April

Plant does not fruit in May

Plant does not fruit in June

Plant does not fruit in July

Plant does not fruit in August

Plant does fruit in September

Plant does fruit in October

Plant does not fruit in November

Plant does not fruit in December

Liquidambar styraciflua and wildlife

Liquidambar styraciflua has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Liquidambar styraciflua poisonous?

Liquidambar styraciflua has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People