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Hardiness Zone: 7a
Pat from Lubbock, TX
Sweet Gum trees are considered to have a medium to fast growth rate. A medium growth rate indicates a tree that has a vertical growth of between 13 to 24" per year. A vertical growth rate of 25" or more a year is considered fast. These rates represent ideal conditions, of course, and don't take into account numerous variables such as soil fertility, drainage, moisture availability, light exposure, etc. With a mature height of 60' to 75' and a canopy spread of 40' to 50', they provide wonderful shade and diverse fall colors.
Sweet Gum trees prefer full sun and moist soil conditions, although they are considered somewhat drought tolerant. They seem to tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions.
One thing you may want to consider with these trees is the fact that after the first 12 to 20 years, they start to flower and produce prickly round "gumballs". Many homeowners find the gumballs a messy (and dangerous) tripping hazard and a real nuisance to clean up. Others use the gumballs for craft projects or as mulch (animals, especially rabbits, don't like stepping on them). If you are planning on planting a Sweet Gum in a high traffic area, you may want to consider the sterile, fruit-less cultivar called Liquidambar styraciflua ('Rotundiloba'), otherwise the fruiting varieties are best located in an area of the yard where the gumballs wont pose a problem.
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
By Nance (Guest Post)
08/21/2008
Also, be careful not to plant it too close to your house or a septic system. Their roots are very invasive - have damaged the foundation of a house in California I saw on TV.
By Charlotte (Guest Post)
08/21/2008
Why would anyone in their right mind want to plant a sweet gum tree? I cut every one I find down! They are a "weed" tree that is nothing but a nuisance.
By LYNDA (Guest Post)
06/19/2008
Plant most any other type of tree other than that one. They are among the messiest I've ever had and I have about thirty or forty of all kinds. My favorites are crepe myrtle, and Bradford pear. They are not picky nor messy.
By Nance (Guest Post)
06/18/2008
Be careful where you put the tree, because the roots are VERY invasive. Saw a TV show where the roots had uplifted the foundation of a house, and the tree wasn't planted close by. Their leaves are sure beautiful in fall, though.
By
06/16/2008
Sweet Gum Trees are nice trees but the gum balls that fall off are a real pain in the neck and if you don't watch where you are going you will slip and fall from them. I cut mine down and now enjoy the ones in the park that I don't have to clean up after, lol.
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