deciduous tree
Sweetgum: pruning, storm risk and removal
Liquidambar styraciflua. Also called American sweetgum, Redgum, Starleaf gum.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Sweetgum at a glance
| Height | 60-80 ft, sometimes taller |
|---|---|
| Spread | 40-60 ft |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| USDA zones | 5-9 |
| Lifespan | typically 150-200 years |
| Type | Deciduous |
| Native range | The southeastern United States, from Connecticut and the Mid-Atlantic south to Florida and west to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and eastern Texas. It is also planted well outside that range. |
| Roots | Fairly shallow and spreading with a few deeper roots. Roots often lift sidewalks, driveways and curbs, and the tree can send up root suckers. |
| Wood | Moderately hard and heavy with interlocked, twisted grain. It is hard to split by hand, dries slowly and can warp. It is used for lumber, veneer and furniture. As firewood it is fair, but it needs a long time to season and is hard to split. |
| Storm risk | mediumThe wood is moderately strong, but large old trees often have heavy limbs and decay at old pruning wounds. Limbs can drop in wind and ice, and trees stressed by drought or soil changes fail more often. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a sweetgum
Best time to prune
Prune in the dormant season (late fall to late winter) to remove dead, crossing and weak branches. Light structural pruning on young trees helps build one strong leader.
Avoid pruning
Avoid topping and heavy cuts, which cause weak sprouts and decay. Avoid big cuts in a hot, dry summer. Do not remove large amounts of the crown in one visit.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Expect spiky gumballs every fall. Many people rake them or use a rolling gumball picker, and they are a good reason to plant sweetgum away from patios and walkways.
- Water young trees deeply during dry spells for the first few years. Deep, slow watering helps build a strong root system.
- Yellow leaves in alkaline or compacted soil can point to iron chlorosis. A local extension office can help you test your soil.
- Give the tree room. Roots lift pavement, so it does better in a wide yard than in a narrow strip beside the street.
- Have an ISA certified arborist check any large tree with dead branches, a leaning trunk or soft spots on the trunk.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on sweetgum
- 1Gumballs and fallen twigs make footing poor for climbers and ground crew. Clear the drop zone first.
- 2Interlocked grain makes the wood hard to split and can make cuts bind. Use wedges and plan the cut order.
- 3Look for decay at old pruning wounds and branch unions before you climb or rig from a limb.
- 4Expect sprouts from stumps and roots after removal. Tell the customer, and offer stump grinding.
- 5Heavy crowns on old trees may need lowering in sections near buildings and power lines.
Removal notes
The spiky seed balls (gumballs) cover the ground in fall, so crews should plan for rough footing and extra cleanup. Large trees often have a wide crown and heavy limbs that need rigging near houses. Stump sprouts and root suckers are common, so stump grinding is usually better than leaving the stump. Sweetgum wood is dense and twisted, which can dull chains and make cuts bind.
Wood
Moderately hard and heavy with interlocked, twisted grain. It is hard to split by hand, dries slowly and can warp. It is used for lumber, veneer and furniture. As firewood it is fair, but it needs a long time to season and is hard to split.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for sweetgum
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where sweetgum grows
Native range: The southeastern United States, from Connecticut and the Mid-Atlantic south to Florida and west to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and eastern Texas. It is also planted well outside that range.
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Sweetgum: common questions
Why does my sweetgum drop so many spiky balls?
The spiky balls are the tree's seed capsules. Sweetgum makes them every year, and a mature tree can drop a very large number in fall. They are normal and not a sign of disease. Raking, a rolling picker or a regular lawn clean-up are the usual ways to manage them.
Is sweetgum a good tree for a small yard?
Usually not. It grows tall and wide, and the roots can lift pavement. It does better in a larger yard, a park or a wide planting strip with room for the roots.
Why are my sweetgum leaves turning yellow in summer?
Common causes are iron chlorosis in alkaline soil, drought, compacted soil or root damage from construction. Check how the tree has been watered and whether the soil has changed. A local extension office or a certified arborist can help find the cause.
Does sweetgum have good fall color?
Yes. Sweetgum is known for fall color that can range from yellow and orange to deep red and purple. The color varies from tree to tree and from year to year.
Is sweetgum wood good for firewood?
It is only fair. The wood is hard to split and slow to dry, so it needs a long time to season. Once it is dry it burns acceptably, but oak and hickory are usually better choices.
When is the best time to prune a sweetgum?
Late fall through late winter, when the tree is dormant, is typically best. Remove dead, broken and crossing branches. Avoid topping, because it leads to weak sprouts and decay.
More trees in the same regions
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