American Sweetgum Tree | Star Shaped Fall Color Tree

American Sweet Gum

15 Gallon

$169.00

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American Sweet Gum

Liquidambar styraciflua

Spectacular Multi-Colored Fall Foliage • Drought-Tolerant Shade Tree • Distinctive Spiky Seed Balls

$169.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The American Sweet Gum is a magnificent deciduous tree celebrated for its spectacular, long-lasting fall color, which can display brilliant shades of red, orange, purple, and yellow all on the same tree. Its distinctive, spiky seed balls and star-shaped leaves add unique texture. While it is a tough and drought-tolerant shade tree, its aggressive surface roots and prickly fruit require careful siting.

Renowned for its stunning and variable fall color, often showcasing a fiery mix of crimson, orange, yellow, and burgundy that persists for weeks.
Produces unique, hard, spiky "gumball" seed pods that hang from the branches, providing winter interest but creating litter on lawns and walkways.
Develops a strong, upright, pyramidal form when young, maturing to a more oval crown. It is drought and heat tolerant once established.
Major Consideration: Its root system is shallow and spreading, often lifting sidewalks and interfering with lawn mowing. The fallen seed pods are a significant nuisance on hardscapes and bare feet.
Best planted as a lawn specimen in large, open areas where its roots have room to spread and its fallen leaves and fruit are not a maintenance issue.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Star-shaped leaves with 5-7 pointed lobes, glossy green turning vibrant orange/red/purple in fall,Fruit: Spiky spherical seed pods (gumballs) persisting through winter,Bark: Deeply furrowed corky texture with aromatic resin,Growth Habit: Pyramidal when young, maturing to oval crown
Mature Height: 30-50 ft
Mature Width: 15-20 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate (13-24" per year)
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Spectacular fall color,Excellent shade tree,Urban tolerant,Wildlife friendly,Low maintenance
Landscape Uses:Lawn specimen,Street tree,Park plantings,Erosion control,Autumn color gardens

Q: How messy is it?
A: It is considered a messy tree for two reasons: 1) The hard, spiky seed pods are a major litter problem and are difficult to walk on. 2) It has a heavy leaf drop in autumn. It is not suitable near patios, pools, driveways, or high-traffic lawns.

Q: Are the roots really that invasive?
A: Yes. Its roots are aggressively shallow and surface-seeking. They can crack and lift concrete slabs, sidewalks, and driveways. Plant it at least 15-20 feet away from any pavement or structure, and avoid planting it in small lawns.

Q: Is there a fruitless variety?
A: Yes, the cultivar ‘Rotundiloba’ is a fruitless (or nearly fruitless) form of Sweet Gum. It has rounded leaf lobes instead of pointed ones and eliminates the messy seed pod problem, making it a highly recommended alternative for landscapes. Always look for this cultivar if seed litter is a concern.