Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum - Evergreen Trees Direct

Liquidambar styraciflua - Evergreen Trees Direct

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum

Name: Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: LIQSTY200L
Price: 1600.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,600.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 300L

300L 100L 40cm/45L 30cm/33cm

Current Stock Height Guides

30 cm / 33 cm: 1.3m – 2.5m Approx.
40 cm / 45 L: 2m – 2.5 m Approx.
100 L: 2.1 m – 3.5 m Approx.
300 L: 3.4m – 4m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as Sweetgum, is a premium deciduous tree valued for its spectacular seasonal display and versatile landscape use. Growing up to 20 meters tall and 10 meters wide, it features glossy green leaves that transform into vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and deep red in autumn, creating stunning visual impact.

With a pyramidal to rounded form, straight trunk, and strong branching, Sweetgum is ideal for large gardens, street plantings, and parks. It thrives in full sun, tolerates frost and moderate drought, and requires moderate watering during the growing season. This low- to moderate-maintenance tree provides shade, structure, and year-round interest, making it a superb focal or functional specimen for spacious landscapes.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m - 25m Approximately

Mature Width: Up to 10 meters

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum is expected to grow Approx 40 – 60 cm per year (moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum frost tolerant?

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Liquidambar styraciflua produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring. Male catkins and rounded female clusters form quietly among the emerging leaves, with the tree’s standout ornamental appeal coming instead from its brilliant multi-coloured autumn foliage.

Native Information

Is Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum an Australian Native? No

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum is Native to Eastern North America, from the United States into Mexico and Central America, where it grows naturally in moist forests and lowlands.

Wildlife Value

Its flowers attract small pollinating insects, while the dense summer canopy provides excellent shelter and foraging habitat for small birds. The spiky seed pods also support insects and microfauna, contributing to biodiversity in woodland, suburban and parkland-style gardens.

Sunlight Information

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Liquidambar styraciflua performs best in deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions to achieve its strongest autumn colour. It may struggle in compacted clay or alkaline soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance drainage and soil structure. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support root depth, healthy growth and vibrant seasonal colour.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Sweetgum

Genus: Liquidambar

Botanical Species: Liquidambar styraciflua

Family: Altingiaceae

Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Street Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Shade Tree

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant:

Select an Ideal Location: Choose a well-drained planting site with exposure to full sun or partial shade.
Prepare the Soil: Ensure the soil is fertile and well-aerated.
Planting: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place the tree, ensuring it's level with the ground.
Backfill: Fill the hole with soil, tamp it down gently, and water thoroughly.
Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Feature Planting: Space 6 – 8 m apart to showcase canopy shape

Hedging & Screening: Not suitable

Avenue Planting: Space 8 – 10 m apart for formal alignment and full canopy development

Caring for Your Sweetgum Tree:

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the tree's early years.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed; remove dead or damaged branches during dormancy.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

This tree prefers well-drained, moist soils but adapts to a variety of conditions:

Sandy Soil: Retains less moisture, so mulch and add organic matter to improve water retention.

Clay Soil: Can compact easily—improve drainage with compost and sand.

Loamy Soil: The ideal soil type for strong root development and consistent growth.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Prefers slightly acidic soil, but adapts to neutral and slightly alkaline soils.

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum is expected to grow Approx 40 – 60 cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Sweetgum develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in warm, temperate climates and benefits from deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods to maintain canopy density, steady growth and strong autumn colour.

Flowering Information

Does Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: How fast does the Sweetgum tree grow?
A: Sweetgum trees have a moderate growth rate and can take several years to reach maturity.

Q: Do Sweetgum trees require special care during the winter?
A: While they can withstand winter conditions well, it's advisable to protect young trees from frost or cold snaps.

Q: Are Sweetgum trees prone to pests or diseases?
A: Sweetgum trees can sometimes be affected by pests like scale insects and diseases like canker, but they are generally hardy when adequately cared for.

Q: What should I do if the tree experiences leaf drop in summer?
A: Leaf drop in summer can occur due to stress or drought. Ensure the tree receives adequate water and care during hot months to prevent this issue.