Sweet Gum
Size: 12-18”
Soil Moisture: Dry-Moist
The Sweet Gum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, has striking, colorful autumn foliage, including purple, yellow, and red. It will turn these colors even without cold fall weather. The leaves that are produced have five deep lobes creating a green star. The tree grows as a cone shape in its early years which then spreads out into a rounder shape as it grows older. The fruit that comes from this tree is a horny, wooden ball that continuously grows through January.
Sweet Gum provides spring nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Its protein packed seeds attract ducks, turkey, quail, and a wide variety of songbirds. The leaves are a larval host for a variety of butterflies and moths.
The wood produced by the tree is used often in production. Its wood is popularly used for furniture and other woodworks.
Historically, Sweet Gum was first known from the pioneer days when the bark was pealed back to expose a resin like solid. This solid was then scraped off and used for medicinal purposes and for chewing gum. The name sweet gum comes from the “gum” substance it produces and the sweet fragrance that comes from the tree.
It can grow in nearly any soil, including dry, urban sites.
This tree will grow to an average height of 75 feet. In the wild they can be found at 150 feet. Do not plant under powerlines.
*A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines. Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning.
*This plant will be packaged as "bare root". Bare root plants have no soil around their roots. Bare root trees, shrubs, and perennials must be planted as soon as possible before growth begins. Find care and planting instructions here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm
Item only available in bundles
Available through the Spring Tree Sale. Pick up from Kardell Hall, Eaton Co. Fairgrounds
Friday, April 11, 2025 9AM to 6PM
Saturday, April 12, 2025 9AM to 11AM
Photo Credits:
Tree: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color Full Form
Leaf: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color of Leaf
Leaves: J. S. Patterson; Leaf and Fruit Close up
Missouri Botanical Gardens
Size: 12-18”
Soil Moisture: Dry-Moist
The Sweet Gum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, has striking, colorful autumn foliage, including purple, yellow, and red. It will turn these colors even without cold fall weather. The leaves that are produced have five deep lobes creating a green star. The tree grows as a cone shape in its early years which then spreads out into a rounder shape as it grows older. The fruit that comes from this tree is a horny, wooden ball that continuously grows through January.
Sweet Gum provides spring nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Its protein packed seeds attract ducks, turkey, quail, and a wide variety of songbirds. The leaves are a larval host for a variety of butterflies and moths.
The wood produced by the tree is used often in production. Its wood is popularly used for furniture and other woodworks.
Historically, Sweet Gum was first known from the pioneer days when the bark was pealed back to expose a resin like solid. This solid was then scraped off and used for medicinal purposes and for chewing gum. The name sweet gum comes from the “gum” substance it produces and the sweet fragrance that comes from the tree.
It can grow in nearly any soil, including dry, urban sites.
This tree will grow to an average height of 75 feet. In the wild they can be found at 150 feet. Do not plant under powerlines.
*A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines. Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning.
*This plant will be packaged as "bare root". Bare root plants have no soil around their roots. Bare root trees, shrubs, and perennials must be planted as soon as possible before growth begins. Find care and planting instructions here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm
Item only available in bundles
Available through the Spring Tree Sale. Pick up from Kardell Hall, Eaton Co. Fairgrounds
Friday, April 11, 2025 9AM to 6PM
Saturday, April 12, 2025 9AM to 11AM
Photo Credits:
Tree: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color Full Form
Leaf: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color of Leaf
Leaves: J. S. Patterson; Leaf and Fruit Close up
Missouri Botanical Gardens
Size: 12-18”
Soil Moisture: Dry-Moist
The Sweet Gum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, has striking, colorful autumn foliage, including purple, yellow, and red. It will turn these colors even without cold fall weather. The leaves that are produced have five deep lobes creating a green star. The tree grows as a cone shape in its early years which then spreads out into a rounder shape as it grows older. The fruit that comes from this tree is a horny, wooden ball that continuously grows through January.
Sweet Gum provides spring nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Its protein packed seeds attract ducks, turkey, quail, and a wide variety of songbirds. The leaves are a larval host for a variety of butterflies and moths.
The wood produced by the tree is used often in production. Its wood is popularly used for furniture and other woodworks.
Historically, Sweet Gum was first known from the pioneer days when the bark was pealed back to expose a resin like solid. This solid was then scraped off and used for medicinal purposes and for chewing gum. The name sweet gum comes from the “gum” substance it produces and the sweet fragrance that comes from the tree.
It can grow in nearly any soil, including dry, urban sites.
This tree will grow to an average height of 75 feet. In the wild they can be found at 150 feet. Do not plant under powerlines.
*A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines. Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning.
*This plant will be packaged as "bare root". Bare root plants have no soil around their roots. Bare root trees, shrubs, and perennials must be planted as soon as possible before growth begins. Find care and planting instructions here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/bare-root.cfm
Item only available in bundles
Available through the Spring Tree Sale. Pick up from Kardell Hall, Eaton Co. Fairgrounds
Friday, April 11, 2025 9AM to 6PM
Saturday, April 12, 2025 9AM to 11AM
Photo Credits:
Tree: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color Full Form
Leaf: Rachel Cuschieri-Murray; Fall Color of Leaf
Leaves: J. S. Patterson; Leaf and Fruit Close up
Missouri Botanical Gardens