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Sweetgums (Liquidambar)
Also known as : Star Gum, Satin-walnut, Redgum
Sweetgums are popular deciduous trees that are known for their colorful foliage. Leaves vary in color depending on the species but can be green, bright red, orange, yellow, or purple. The flowers are small but the fruit is a woody gumball that is covered in spikes and contains several seeds. The wood of the tree is very hard and durable and is often used in making furniture.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Key Facts About Sweetgums
Feedback
Attributes of Sweetgums
Planting Time
Spring, Fall
Harvest Time
Fall
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Sweetgums
Distribution of Sweetgums
Feedback
Distribution Map of Sweetgums
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Sweetgums
Feedback
Sweetgums, a deciduous tree genus, is known for its vibrant fall coloration and adaptable nature. The basic care involves full sun exposure, well-draining soil, and moderate watering. They are relatively cold-hardy but require more moisture in warmer temperatures. Common challenges include susceptibility to pests like scale insects, cankers, and root rot. Seasonally, sweetgums requires autumn leaf cleanup and winter protection in colder climates. Spring is the optimal time for pruning. Regular inspection for pests and diseases is advisable for healthy growth.
How to Water Sweetgums?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Sweetgums?
How to Propagate Sweetgums?
How to Plant Sweetgums?
Exploring the Sweetgums Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Sweetgum
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.
Formosan sweetgum
The formosan sweetgum is native to East Asia and grows in moist soil. The leaves are fed to silkworms, and the wood can be made into tea chests. Formosan sweetgum has an aggressive, spreading root system that is known for damaging concrete.
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon'
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' gets its unusual name from a village in Surrey, England. This English hybrid has been bred for its suitability for cooler climates. It is a popular specimen tree but is rarely used as a street tree because its fruit litters roads and walkways. Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' has good resistance to deer and rabbits.
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette'
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette' is a columnar tree that reaches heights of 50-75 feet and only 5-6 feet wide. The star-shaped leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall, and the tree attracts butterflies and birds.
Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts'
Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts' is a striking deciduous tree known for its star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant shades of red and purple in the fall. This selection stands out with its exceptionally deep and consistent autumn coloration, making it a spectacular ornamental feature. Adaptable to a variety of soils, sweetgum 'Lane Roberts' grows a pyramidal canopy and produces spiky fruit clusters that persist into winter, providing seasonal interest.
Fruitless sweetgum
Fruitless sweetgum is a relatively new American sweetgum hybrid that rarely produces the sticky fruits of its parent. The specific epithet 'Rotundiloba' refers to its leaves, which have rounded tips or 'lobes,' in contrast to the parent’s pointed leaves. It is grown as a specimen or shade tree in larger gardens but needs plenty of space because its aggressive roots can damage nearby structures.
Chinese Sweet Gum
Chinese Sweet Gum is a species of Liquidambar that gets its name from its lack of spiny fruits. Its leaves are a mix of green and burgundy, turning fiery in the fall and releasing a sweet scent. Used for woodwork and medicine, this tree is native to China.
Rasamala
Rasamala is a stately tree, revered for its soaring height and glistening, star-shaped leaves that transition through a kaleidoscope of colors with the seasons. The deeply furrowed bark and spiky fruit capsules offer a striking texture, contrasting the smooth autumnal foliage. Thriving in rich, moist soils, its robust roots anchor it firmly, drawing sustenance to support its grand stature.
All Species of Sweetgums
Sweetgum
Sweetgum
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.
Formosan sweetgum
Formosan sweetgum
The formosan sweetgum is native to East Asia and grows in moist soil. The leaves are fed to silkworms, and the wood can be made into tea chests. Formosan sweetgum has an aggressive, spreading root system that is known for damaging concrete.
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon'
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon'
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' gets its unusual name from a village in Surrey, England. This English hybrid has been bred for its suitability for cooler climates. It is a popular specimen tree but is rarely used as a street tree because its fruit litters roads and walkways. Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' has good resistance to deer and rabbits.
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette'
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette'
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette' is a columnar tree that reaches heights of 50-75 feet and only 5-6 feet wide. The star-shaped leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall, and the tree attracts butterflies and birds.
Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts'
Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts'
Sweetgum 'Lane Roberts' is a striking deciduous tree known for its star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant shades of red and purple in the fall. This selection stands out with its exceptionally deep and consistent autumn coloration, making it a spectacular ornamental feature. Adaptable to a variety of soils, sweetgum 'Lane Roberts' grows a pyramidal canopy and produces spiky fruit clusters that persist into winter, providing seasonal interest.
Fruitless sweetgum
Fruitless sweetgum
Fruitless sweetgum is a relatively new American sweetgum hybrid that rarely produces the sticky fruits of its parent. The specific epithet 'Rotundiloba' refers to its leaves, which have rounded tips or 'lobes,' in contrast to the parent’s pointed leaves. It is grown as a specimen or shade tree in larger gardens but needs plenty of space because its aggressive roots can damage nearby structures.
Chinese Sweet Gum
Chinese Sweet Gum
Chinese Sweet Gum is a species of Liquidambar that gets its name from its lack of spiny fruits. Its leaves are a mix of green and burgundy, turning fiery in the fall and releasing a sweet scent. Used for woodwork and medicine, this tree is native to China.
Rasamala
Rasamala
Rasamala is a stately tree, revered for its soaring height and glistening, star-shaped leaves that transition through a kaleidoscope of colors with the seasons. The deeply furrowed bark and spiky fruit capsules offer a striking texture, contrasting the smooth autumnal foliage. Thriving in rich, moist soils, its robust roots anchor it firmly, drawing sustenance to support its grand stature.
Liquidambar chinensis
Liquidambar chinensis
Liquidambar chinensis is a deciduous tree recognized for its star-shaped leaves and spiky, compound fruit. Its glossy foliage transitions from a lush green to vibrant autumnal hues before falling. Adapted to a variety of wet habitats, liquidambar chinensis thrives with ample moisture, contributing to its ornamental appeal and habitat diversity.
Oriental sweet gum
Oriental sweet gum
The colorful autumn leaves of oriental sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis) have made it a tourist attraction in Turkey, where certain regions are set aside as nature reserves and preservation areas for the tree. Its sap is used to make oil products that are critical to the local economies of Turkey and Greece. Products are sold in America with the name, "styrax."
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Sweetgums
Liquidambar
Also known as: Star Gum, Satin-walnut, Redgum
Sweetgums are popular deciduous trees that are known for their colorful foliage. Leaves vary in color depending on the species but can be green, bright red, orange, yellow, or purple. The flowers are small but the fruit is a woody gumball that is covered in spikes and contains several seeds. The wood of the tree is very hard and durable and is often used in making furniture.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Key Facts About Sweetgums
Feedback
Attributes of Sweetgums
Planting Time
Spring, Fall
Harvest Time
Fall
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Sweetgums
Distribution of Sweetgums
Feedback
Distribution Map of Sweetgums
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Sweetgums
Feedback
Sweetgums, a deciduous tree genus, is known for its vibrant fall coloration and adaptable nature. The basic care involves full sun exposure, well-draining soil, and moderate watering. They are relatively cold-hardy but require more moisture in warmer temperatures. Common challenges include susceptibility to pests like scale insects, cankers, and root rot. Seasonally, sweetgums requires autumn leaf cleanup and winter protection in colder climates. Spring is the optimal time for pruning. Regular inspection for pests and diseases is advisable for healthy growth.
How to Water Sweetgums?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Sweetgums?
How to Propagate Sweetgums?
How to Plant Sweetgums?
Exploring the Sweetgums Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Sweetgum
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium-to-large tree native to warm temperate regions of North and Central America. It puts on a brilliant autumn display - the leathery star-shaped foliage turns orange, red, and burgundy, with multicolored individual leaves. Decorative foliage and an elegant straight trunk earned sweetgum a prominent place in parks and treelines around the world.
Formosan sweetgum
The formosan sweetgum is native to East Asia and grows in moist soil. The leaves are fed to silkworms, and the wood can be made into tea chests. Formosan sweetgum has an aggressive, spreading root system that is known for damaging concrete.
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon'
Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' gets its unusual name from a village in Surrey, England. This English hybrid has been bred for its suitability for cooler climates. It is a popular specimen tree but is rarely used as a street tree because its fruit litters roads and walkways. Sweetgum 'Worplesdon' has good resistance to deer and rabbits.
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette'
Sweetgum 'Slender Silhouette' is a columnar tree that reaches heights of 50-75 feet and only 5-6 feet wide. The star-shaped leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall, and the tree attracts butterflies and birds.
Show More Species
All Species of Sweetgums
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
