Sweet Gum Tree 80/100cm (2L)

Sweet Gum Tree – Liquidambar styraciflua is one of the finest deciduous trees for autumn colour, offering a long season of interest from spring right through to the first frosts. This specimen is supplied at 80/100cm in a 2L pot, a manageable young size that establishes quickly and allows you to shape and train the tree as it grows into its final position.

The foliage is the main attraction. Each glossy, five to seven lobed leaf is maple-like in outline, measuring roughly 10 to 15cm across, and holds a deep mid-green through the summer months. As temperatures drop, the leaves turn through amber, orange and scarlet to plum-purple and near-black crimson, often with several shades visible on the same branch. The colour typically lingers for weeks rather than days, making it a reliable centrepiece for an autumn garden. Crushed foliage releases a faintly sweet, balsam-like scent, which gives the tree its common name.

Bark is a secondary feature worth noting. Young stems develop corky ridges and wings, and mature trunks become deeply furrowed in grey-brown, adding structure and texture during the bare winter months. The habit is neatly conical when young, broadening to a more rounded, spreading crown with age. Small spherical fruit clusters follow the insignificant spring flowers and persist into winter.

Sweet Gum is best suited to larger gardens, long borders, avenues or open lawns where it has space to develop. It works well as a specimen tree, planted so that low afternoon light can catch the autumn foliage. Fully hardy across the country, it tolerates exposure once established and copes with urban air.

Care Guide

Plant between late autumn and early spring while the tree is dormant, avoiding waterlogged or frozen ground. Choose a position in full sun or light dappled shade, as sunlight intensity strongly influences the depth of autumn colour.

Soil is the key consideration in the British climate. Sweet Gum prefers a moist but well-drained, neutral to acidic loam and colours poorly on thin, chalky or strongly alkaline soils, where the leaves may turn yellow and drop early. Dig in leaf mould or composted bark when planting and mulch annually with an ericaceous or acidic organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Water deeply once or twice a week through the first two growing seasons, particularly during dry spells from May to September, as young trees dislike drought. Established trees rarely need irrigation, though they appreciate moisture in prolonged summer heat.

Stake newly planted specimens with a short stake and a flexible tie for the first two years, checking ties each spring so they do not constrict the trunk. Feed in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser if growth is slow.

Pruning is best kept to a minimum. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter and lift the lower crown gradually if you want a clear trunk. Sweet Gum is generally trouble-free, with few pest or disease problems in gardens.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
8–12 metres

Please note: Decorative pots shown are for display purposes only. Your tree will be supplied in a standard plastic nursery pot shown in the other pictures.