Sweetgum trees ( botanical nameLiquidambar ) are a species of large deciduous flowering trees with large lobed leaves , little spheric flowers , and seminal fluid - containing spiky gumballs . Sweetgum tree are identified by their colored lobed leaves that can be orange , crimson , yellow , or purple color in the downslope . The characteristic feature of many sweetgum sort is their spiky balls measuring up to 2 ” ( 5 cm ) across .
The most pop sweetgum tree is the American sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) which is also address gumball tree . The American sweetgum is a marvellous ornamental tree diagram with its colorful fall leaves and rounded pyramidic crown . It is a beautiful shade or lawn landscaping tree diagram . Other coarse trees in theLiquidambargenus include the Sweetgum ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ ( Liquidambar styraciflua‘Slender Silhouette ’ ) and Fruitless Sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ‘ Rotundiloba ’ ) .
This article is a guide to identifying sweetgums tree . Descriptions and pictures of democratic sweetgum trees will help place these deciduous landscape painting trees .
Sweetgum Tree Facts
There are 15 species of sweetgum tree in the genusLiquidambarand the familyAltingiaceae . Sweetgums are ornamental deciduous tree that are native to North America , Asia , and the Mediterranean . Sweetgum trees are comparatively tight - grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that reach a fledged superlative between 32 and 130 ft . ( 10 – 40 m ) .
Sweetgum trees get their name from the sweet , sticky , pitchy substance the muck from the track trunk . The scientific name — genus Liquidambar — also refers to this yellow sap and mean liquified amber . The common name redgum comes from the spectacular violent colouration of the leaves in the tumble and the reddish - yellow color of the tree ’s sap . Other mutual names for the sweetgum tree include liquid amber Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and sugar gum tree .
The spiky balls or gumballs on the sweetgum tree diagram help to distinguish this genus . The sweetgum tree ball depend exchangeable tosycamore treefruit . For some nurseryman , the spiked gumballs can be a nuisance in the capitulation . The hard , woody balls can twine if you stand on them , causing injury if you light . to boot , child can get injured by sharp spikes .
Sweetgum Tree rise in full sun and well - draining moist ground . However , brave sweetgum Tree are also tolerant of drought and can grow well in wet ground . you may find sweetgums grow in easterly North America from Connecticut to Florida and as far west as Texas , Missouri , and Oklahoma .
Sweetgum Leaves
Sweetgum leaves is summer
Sweetgum tree leave are wiz - shaped , with child palmate leaveswith three to seven lobes . The big leaves from sweetgum trees grow between 5 ” and 8 ” ( 12 – 20 curium ) long . face at pictures of sweetgum leave of absence , you ’ll see that each folio consists of three to seven pointed blades . In summer , sweetgum leaves are green before sour lustrous hues of red , yellowed , orange , and purple in the declension .
Sweetgum fall foliage
Another feature of sweetgum leaves is their pleasant aroma when crushed . The leaf have a fresh , citrusy scent with perfumed overtones .
One way to name sweetgum trees in a landscape painting is by their leaves in the dusk . Typically , sweetgum trees are the last of thedeciduous treesto unload their leaves . The tree diagram ’s spectacular foliage nightfall coloring material place sweetgums apart from other deciduous trees . Also , in spring , sweetgum trees are usually the last of the deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to bring about leaves .
Sweetgum Tree Bark
American sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) barque
Sweetgum tree has light gray bark with upright , irregular ridges covering a marvellous , straight trunk . As the tree diagram matures , sweetgum bark becomes gray - brown , with deeper furrows and minute ridgepole .
Sweetgum Tree Balls
Sweetgum tree diagram balls ( gumballs ) are green when immature ( left ) and dark brown when mature ( rightfulness )
Sweetgum trees are known for their musket ball , also called gumballs , sweetgum fruit , or capsules . The spiky gumballs hang in bunch . The hard , brown , woody sweetgum formal quantify between 1 ” and 3 ” ( 2.5 – 7.5 centimeter ) and hold in legion ejaculate . For some gardener , the sweetgum nut can get a litter problem , piddle the tree somewhat messy when the balls fall between December and April .
Not all metal money of sweetgum trees have balls . Some fruitless varieties of sweetgum Tree , such as the sweetgum ‘ Rotundiloba , ’ do n’t acquire the pod . This means that there is no mess from these sweetgums and their bloom seldom mature into spiky gumballs .
Sweetgum Tree Flower
American sweetgum bloom
Sweetgum tree diagram flowers are small invisible clump of yellowish - light-green peak . Sweetgums flower in April and May , but their non - jazzy flowers do n’t add to the tree ’s solicitation .
Sweetgum Tree Identification
Sweetgum tree identification is by its bark , leaves , and fruit . To identify sweet-flavored gum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , look for declamatory star - shaped lobate green farewell that turn spectacular fall ruddy , yellow , and orange colors . Sweetgum tree barque await light hoary with vertical fissure ridges . Spiky gumballs are another distinguish feature of sweetgum trees .
It can be challenging to state sweetgum Tree apart from somemaple tree smorgasbord . The main remainder between the two species are that sweetgum leaves usually have deeper lobbing and are arrange alternately on arm , whereas maple tree leaves have an opposite leaf arrangement .
Types of Sweetgum Trees (With Pictures)
Let ’s bet in more detail at rough-cut varieties of sweetgum trees . You will discover description of the tree ’s leaves , bark , growth habit , and spiky gumballs for each tree variety .
American Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
American sweetgum tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua )
The American sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) has enceinte , star - determine farewell and dismal chocolate-brown spiky gumballs . As a majestic shade tree , the American sweetgum has a tall , straight automobile trunk with a broadly conic crest . This low - maintenance landscape tree spring up between 60 and 80 ft . ( 18 – 24 m ) marvelous and up to 60 foot . ( 12 m across-the-board ) .
The American sweetgum ’s notable characteristic are the glossy dark green , aromatic leaves , and orbicular thorny gumballs . In fall landscapes , the American sweetgum is a spectacular tree with undimmed blood-red , orange , sensationalistic , or purple foliage .
The American sweetgum tree thrives in USDA grow zones 5 – 9 . The tall , deciduous tree grows best in full sun . As an easy - care decorative tree , it acquire well in most grease types and does n’t mind rise in soggy territory .
Apart from American sweetgum , Liquidambar styracifluais also known as cerise gum , star - leaved chewing gum , American storax , hazel true pine , copalm balsam , satin walnut , and alligatorwood . The common names refer to the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s two key out characteristics — the sweet-smelling - smell pasty rosin and the color or shape of the leaves .
There are few retainer before planting a sweetgum tree in a backyard . The rootage of sweetgum tree are comparatively shallow . Therefore , it ’s a good idea to keep the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree at least 10 foot . ( 3 m ) away from buildings or sidewalks . Also , the sweetgum tree omit spiky balls in late wintertime or other leap . The hard nut - same sweetgum fruits can be a slip hazard if someone tread on them . Then , there is the mess to illuminate up after the parting have come down in the drop and ejaculate capsules in winter .
American Sweetgum leaves
Sweetgum tree result : American sweetgum leave-taking are five - pointed star - shaped blades that look like maple leaves . The palmately lob , lustrous leaves have pointed leaflets with serrated edges . The fragrant farewell develop between 3 ” and 6 ” ( 7.5 – 15 centimeter ) long and panoptic . The prominent characteristic of sweetgum tree parting is the brilliant fall color variations of red , purples , oranges , and yellows .
American sweetgum fall foliage
Sweetgum tree glob : Gum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree balls on the American sweetgum are coppery - chocolate-brown rounded spiky capsule . The sweetgum tree ballock produce between 1 ” and 3 ” ( 2.5 – 7.5 centimetre ) in diam . The clusters of bristly tree bollock prevail on the tree diagram until mid - winter or early spring . houseclean up gumballs can be a problem in residential areas .
American sweetgum balls
Sweetgum ‘Slender Silhouette’ (Liquidambar styraciflua‘Slender Silhouette’)
Sweetgum ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ ( Liquidambar styraciflua ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ ) tree diagram and barque
The sweetgum ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ is an elegant columnar Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that provide a vertical accent in small , stocky landscapes . Thistall scrawny treeis aLiquidambar styracifluacultivar with lead - shaped , wanton glossy green leaves and spiky gumballs . The fast - grow fastigiate ( columnar ) tree diagram matures at 50 foot . grandiloquent ( 15 m ) and is only 4 ft . ( 1.2 m ) all-inclusive .
Similar to the specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , the ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ American sweetgum has invisible bloodless outpouring flowers . The glistening green lobate foliage also release beautiful red and orangish colors in the fall . Although this narrow sweetgum tree has spiky gumballs , they tend not to make a mess as they fall close to the slender tree diagram .
The ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ sweetgum tree fly high in USDA geographical zone 5 – 8 . The deciduous ornamental tree grows fast in full sunshine and allow a scope of soil conditions . you’re able to farm the ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ as a specimen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , a tall minute tree for a vertical accent , ortall privacy covert planting .
Sweetgum tree diagram leaves : The leaves on the American sweetgum ‘ Slender Silhouette ’ are five - direct , lobed leaves in a hotshot shape . The colored green foliage grows thickly on upward - growing arm that give the tree its characteristic pencil - like growth use .
Fruitless Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua‘Rotundiloba’)
Fruitless sweetgum new tree diagram ( Liquidambar styraciflua ‘ Rotundiloba ’ )
The American sweetgum ‘ Rotundiloba ’ Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree does n’t have spiky balls typical of most gumball trees . The sweetgum tree has characteristic dark gray - brown furrowed bark and lead - mold palm-shaped leaves . The unimaginative ‘ Rotundiloba ’ is a pod - less sweetgum variety that wo n’t make a mess in the autumn and winter .
The fruitlessLiquidambar styraciflua‘Rotundiloba ’ grows practiced in USDA zone 6 – 9 . The marvelous , low - maintenance shade tree has a narrowly pyramidical growth and acquire between 60 and 70 ft . ( 18 – 21 megabyte ) tall . Because the sweetgum does n’t have balls , it ’s worthy for growing in most orotund garden landscape painting . This specimen tree is idealistic as a lawn or shade tree .
A distinguishing feature of the ‘ Rotundiloba ’ sweetgum is the around - fee booklet making up the palmate leafage . The cultivar ’s name refers to the distinct rounded lobes that help distinguish this plant .
Fruitless sweetgum leaves and bark
Sweetgum tree leaves : unfertile American sweetgum ‘ Rotundiloba ’ leaves are glossy green and 6 ” ( 15 cm ) long with five lobes . Unlike most other sweetgum tree leaves , the ‘ Rotundiloba ’ has round off rather than luff folio . In the fall , the attractive folio turn to shades of sensationalistic and red .
Sweetgum ‘Worplesdon’ (Liquidambar styraciflua‘Worplesdon’)
Sweetgum ‘ Worplesdon ’ tree ( genus Liquidambar styraciflua ‘ Worplesdon ’ )
The dramatic ‘ Worplesdon ’ American sweetgum cultivar has genius - shaped leaf , spiked gumballs , and fantabulous fall color . This beautiful deciduous tree has a broadly pyramidical treetop make it a sensational shade tree . small than other sweetgums , the ‘ Worplesdon ’ tree diagram arise between 30 and 50 ft . ( 10 – 15 m ) tall and 40 foot . ( 12 m ) broad .
The beautiful equipment characteristic of the sweetgum ‘ Worplesdon ’ is the fiery red folio coloring material in the fall . This eye - catching reddish or burgundy foliage rivals some of the mostpopular Nipponese maples .
The attractive green summertime foliage , red and orange autumn leaves , and refined branching give this sweetgum all - yr visual appeal . you could grow this beguiling decorative landscape painting tree in USDA zones 5 – 9 . As with all varieties of sweetgum , grow the ‘ Worplesdon ’ in full Lord’s Day and well - draining land .
Sweetgum ‘ Worplesdon ’ leaves
Sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree leaves : The sweetgum ‘ Worplesdon ’ has profoundly lobed , ace - work shining green leaves . These lustrous pointed leaves turn arresting dark glasses of reds , oranges , and yellows in the drop .
Sweetgum ‘Variegata’ (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Variegata’)
Sweetgum ‘ Variegata ’ leave ( Liquidambar styraciflua ‘ Variegata ’ )
The sweetgum ‘ Variegata ’ is an strange character of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree due to its variegated creamy - yellow-bellied and green mavin - form leaf . As a average - sized , bushy tree diagram , the sweetgum ‘ Variegata ’ is suitable for gay gardens . This sweetgum variety convey 50 years to reach its mature height of 40 foot . ( 12 m ) and a spread up to 26 foot . ( 8 m ) .
Sweetgum ‘ Variegata ’ leavesare big , deeply lobed creamy - sensationalistic and green farewell that turn purple , crimson , or icteric in the fall .
Sweetgum ‘Lane Roberts’ (Liquidambar styraciflua‘Lane Roberts’)
The sweetgum ‘ Lane Roberts ’ is an elegant deciduous landscape gardening tree suitable for small to intermediate - sized landscape painting . The American sweetgum cultivar has asterisk - determine leaves , small bunch of non - showy flower , and spiky ball . The attractive feature film of the ‘ Lane Roberts ’ sweetgum is the crimson , near bleak color of the leaves in the gloam .
Oriental Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis)
Oriental sweetgum ( Liquidambar orientalis ) tree and barque
Also called the Turkish sweetgum , this slow - growing small tree diagram has small lobed leaves with coarsely serrate edge . The strange Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree leave of absence have dual lob , making them unparalleled in theLiquidambargenus . The Oriental sweet gum thrives in USDA zones 7 – 9 and grows between 20 and 30 foot . ( 6 – 10 m ) tall .
The Oriental sweetgum can acquire as a lowly ornamental tree diagram or bombastic bush for gay landscape . The messy fruit can cause problem when the balls drop in wintertime , so it ’s not hardheaded for planting near sidewalk . Also , the shallow root organization can damage building and nerve pathway .
Oriental sweetgum leaves
Oriental sweetgum leavesare the smallest among the sweetgum form . The duple - lobed unaccented gullible parting measure up to 3 ” ( 7.5 centimetre ) across . In the fall , the leave turn shade off red and yellow .
Chinese Sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana)
Chinese sweetgum tree diagram ( Liquidambar formosana )
The Chinese sweetgum is a bombastic shade tree with spiky gumballs , large 3 - lobed foliage , and a pyramidal top that becomes ellipse - round with historic period . Also forebode Twainese sweet gum tree or Formosan gum , thisLiquidambarspecies grows between 100 and 131 foot . ( 30 – 40 m ) tall . Not as inhuman - Thomas Hardy as other sweetgums , the Chinese sweetgum grow in USDA zone 7 – 9 .
Taiwanese sweetgum barque
The identifying feature of the Chinese sweetgum is the big leaves . The Taiwanese sweetgum leaves have three lobe , unlike the distinctive five to seven of other species . The middle lobe is a pronounced triangular shape . Formosan sweetgum leaves measure between 3 ” and 6 ” ( 7.5 – 15 cm ) across .
Formosan sweetgum leaf
As with most type of sweetgums that produce spiky balls , the Chinese sweetgum yield can be a bedding material problem in the pin . Also , the shallow rooting system can have damage to building .
Formosan sweetgum germ and autumn foliage
Chang’s Sweetgum (Liquidambar acalycina)
Chang ’s sweetgum ( Liquidambar acalycina ) young tree
Native to Asia , Chang ’s sweetgum tree diagram is a small tree diagram that grows between 30 and 50 ft . ( 10 – 15 metre ) tall . The Chang ’s sweetgum is identified by its rounded , pyramidal canopy , three - lob broadleaves , and small , hard dark-brown gumballs . This sweetgum variety grows right in sunny landscapes in USDA zones 6 – 9 .
Chang ’s sweetgum leaves look like maple tree leaf and quantity between 3 ” and 6 ” ( 7.5 – 15 cm ) across . Each leaf blade has three lobes , with a broad , triangular lobe in the center . The deep green leaves change by reversal bright red to purple in the fall .
Chang ’s Sweetgum leaves
The ball that throw away from Chang ’s sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are less of a danger to those from the American sweetgum . The gumballs are less carinate , and there is less chance of slipping on the pear-shaped , hard nuts .
Sweetgum ‘Gumball’ (Liquidambar styraciflua‘Gumball’)
The American sweetgum cultivar ‘ Gumball ’ is a dwarf Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with a rounded growth habit . The beautiful landscape gardening Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree arise up to 6 foot . ( 1.8 m ) mellow and panoptic . In crepuscule , the globular - shaped Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree rick from deep green to striking imperial - crimson coloration .
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