How to Identify a Sweet Gum Tree

Sweet Gum trees are large deciduous trees native to Eastern North America. Identifying them is quite easy during all seasons. So, if you are wondering if you have a Sweet Gum tree in front of you, read on….

1 – Look at the general shape of the tree.

Mature Sweet Gum trees have what is known as an Ovular shape.

2 – Examine the leaf.

Sweet Gum trees have a star-shaped leaf with five points. The leaf will have a saw-tooth or serrated edge. The upper side of the leaf is a dark green, while the under-side of the leaf is a pale green color. In Autumn, the leaves generally turn a reddish-purple or orange color.

3 – Examine the bark.

Sweet Gum bark consists of long rough ridges. Many describe it as similar to alligator skin.

Look for Seed Pods.

After 20-30 years of age, Sweet Gum trees will begin producing seed pods every year. The pods are spiked/spiny and golf-ball sized. The pods generally litter the ground and immediate area of the tree.

Now, to read about some of the common areas to find a Sweet Gum tree, read on……

Where to find the Sweet Gum tree

Native Range of the Sweet Gum tree

Sweet Gum trees native range is from Texas to New York (via the Ohio River valley). All areas South East of that imaginary line (TX-NY) is the native range.

Natural Habitat of the Sweet Gum tree

In the wild, Sweet Gum trees naturally grow in moist soils. So, you can generally find them growing along streams, shores of lakes, or and low-lying swampy areas. Most of the time you will find a dense stand of Sweet Gum trees, not isolated specimens.

However, the moist conditions are not a strict requirement. If you are in a suburban area, you can often find Sweet Gum trees planted in landscaping. And thus they can grow in average soil conditions. Below you can see an example of a Sweet Gum Tree blooming it’s brillant Fall colors.

Should you grow a Sweet Gum tree in your yard?

We’ve written a detailed article on the pros/cons of Sweet Gum trees. Including information on what to do, and what NOT to do in regards to planting Sweet Gum trees. You can read that article here.

Sweet Gum Tree Reference Table, Growing Conditions & Facts

Common Name	Sweet Gum Tree
Scientific Name	Liquidambar styraciflua
Garden Zones	USDA Zone 5-9
Mature Height	60-75′ (18-23 m)
Spread / Spacing	40-50′ (12-15 m)
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Soil Type	Acidic, Sandy to Clay
Growth Rate	1-2′ per year (30-60 cm)
Tree Shape	Ovular / Oval

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