American Sweetgum

The American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) delivers the most spectacular autumn colour available to Australian gardens: one tree turns burgundy, crimson, orange and gold at once and holds the show for weeks. It is a genuine shade tree, growing quickly to 15m tall and 8m wide, with maple like star shaped leaves and a tidy pyramidal habit when young. It needs space.

Why you'll love it

• Autumn colour without equal. Reliable even in warmer districts where many deciduous trees just brown off.
• Real shade, fast. A dense summer canopy that cools a lawn or a western wall properly.
• Handles heat and wet. Frost hardy, heat tolerant and happy with wet feet.
• Low fuss for its size. No significant pests, no regular pruning, just space and time.

Where it works best

Large lawns and acreage. Give it a clear 8m circle and let it become the feature. Underplant with shade lovers once the canopy lifts.

Rural driveways and avenues. Spaced 8m to 10m apart, an avenue of liquidambars is a landmark within a decade.

Parks, paddocks and big verges. Anywhere with deep soil, room overhead and no services underneath.

Growing the American Sweetgum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates, and still respectable in warmer coastal gardens.

Soil. Deep, moist soils grow the best trees, and it tolerates heavy clay and seasonal waterlogging that kill most feature trees. Slightly acidic soil deepens the autumn reds.

Water and feed. Water deeply through the first two summers; established trees on reasonable soil look after themselves and rarely need feeding.

Pruning. Minimal: set a single clean leader early and remove crossing limbs while young.

The honest part: roots and space

Liquidambars have vigorous surface roots that lift paving and find old pipes. Plant at least 8m from the house, pools, driveways and sewer lines, and do not put one in a courtyard or narrow front yard no matter how good the autumn photos look. If you love the colour but lack the room, an ornamental pear or a Japanese maple is the honest alternative. Spiky seed pods drop in autumn and winter, another reason to site it over lawn or garden rather than paths.

What to expect when it arrives

Sizes run from tubes and 250mm packs through 300mm to 500mm trees, up to advanced 25L, 45L, 100L and 200L stock with real height on arrival. A couple of sizes are grown to order and show as backorder; we confirm timing first. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Winter deliveries arrive bare of leaf and burst away in spring. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More plants for autumn colour
• Browse all deciduous trees
• Compare feature trees

Common questions

Will it colour in a warm climate?

Yes, more reliably than almost any other deciduous tree. Cold autumn nights intensify the display, but even Brisbane hinterland and coastal Sydney trees turn well most years.

How close to the house can I plant it?

No closer than 8m, and further is better. The surface roots are the real constraint, and no root barrier makes a small yard suitable.

How fast does it grow?

Around a metre a year in good conditions when young. From 45L stock expect a genuine shade presence within five or six years.

Are the seed pods a problem?

The spiky balls drop over autumn and winter and are unpleasant barefoot. Over lawn or garden beds they disappear into the mulch; over paving they need sweeping.