Sweet Gum

Other names

American Sweet Gum

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Location

Houston and Grossman Ponds

Source of plant

Klyn Nurseries

Description

This sweet gum cultivar is a narrowly pyramidal, deciduous tree which typically grows 60-75' tall (less frequently to 100'). Deep green leaves have, as the cultivar name suggests, distinctively rounded lobes (5-7). Foliage turns yellow to burgundy in fall. Non-showy, apetulous, monoecious flowers appear in small clusters in spring. Tree does not set fruit (the infamous gum balls). Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Not reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where (particularly in the northern portions) it should be planted in a protected location.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

foliage characteristics