Sweetgum — American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 50–70 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide, and needs medium water. Sweetgum prefers acidic, moist soil — chlorosis and slow growth are common here.

medium water50–70 ft tall and 30–50 ft wideDeer-resistant

Photos

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) — mature form — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) — foliage — (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) — bloom — no rights reserved

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) — fall color — no rights reserved

At a glance

Rating: Conditionally Recommended
Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua
Variety / cultivar: American Sweetgum
Type: Tree
Mature size: 50–70 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide
Water needs: medium water
Colorado native: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Soil: clay, loam
Soil pH: 5.5–7.0
Hail tolerance: low
Wind tolerance: moderate
Salt tolerance: moderate

Site factors to consider

Critical: Soil Chemistry
Critical: Soil Texture
Critical: Cold Hardiness

Frequently asked questions

Is Sweetgum — American Sweetgum good for the Colorado Front Range?: Yes. Sweetgum — American Sweetgum is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
How big does Sweetgum — American Sweetgum get?: It matures to about 50–70 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide.
How much water does Sweetgum — American Sweetgum need?: It needs medium water once established.
Is Sweetgum — American Sweetgum native to Colorado?: No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.

Sweetgum — American Sweetgum

Photos

At a glance

Site factors to consider

Frequently asked questions

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See also

Related trees