The perfumed gum tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) is a popular landscape gardening choice due to its beautiful declension foliation and stately bod . However , these attractive tree diagram also have some important downsides , especially when plant too close to a domicile . In this clause , we ’ll research the pros and cons of planting a sweet gum near your house so you may make an informed decision .
The Advantages of Sweet Gums
Here are some of the welfare of planting a odorous mucilage tree on your belongings
Gorgeous free fall semblance – The leaves turn vibrant specter of yellow , red , purple and orangish in autumn . This jazzy fall display is a standout in any landscape .
Shade – Sweet chewing gum grow 60 - 100 feet tall with a canopy spread of 30 - 50 feet . This make them excellent tone trees .

degraded increase – They grow up to 3 feet per year when untested , promptly supply shade and diminish interest .
Wildlife habitat – Birds deplete the seeds and use the tree diagram for tax shelter and nesting . The larvae of various moth species feed on the leaves .
Few pest – Sweet gum are relatively pest and disease resistant . They have fewer problems than many other nuance trees .
The Disadvantages of Close Proximity
However , planting a sugared gum too close to your home descend with some significant drawback :
encroaching roots – seraphic gum root are aggressive and tend to spread wide and raise close to the surface . This can damage sidewalks , patios , septic systems and foundation wall .
mussy fruits – The spiky seed pods litter the land in fall and wintertime They can make surface area near the tree uncomfortable for walking barefoot .
hard cleaning – The waspish fruits do n’t rake up easily and puncture lawn mower tires Removing sugared gum ball is an plaguy , on-going task .
Weak Grant Wood – Branches break easily in storms . The shallow radical organization makes the tree diagram prone to toppling in high winds .
sizing – Their monolithic size makes sweet gums unmanageable to prune and glean fruit from when locate too close to a home .
Recommended Guidelines
Most experts recommend fend off planting sweet gum trees within 50 infantry of a home ’s instauration . To forbid root damage to sidewalks and driveways , allow at least 15 metrical foot of space between the trunk and hardscaping . ensure overhead magnate line of reasoning are at least 15 foot out , and do n’t plant sweet gums under them .
Also consider locating carefully if your infected drainage field is nearby , as the roots can clog and damage the system . Allow sizable elbow room between sweet gum and swim pool , patio and other high - dealings outdoor keep spaces .
While sweet gum trees have many merits , their drawbacks make placement decisions peculiarly crucial . earmark enough space from your plate and base to keep job and dear repairs down the road . With tolerable space , you’re able to enjoy their benefits without the hassles . Careful planning will let you successfully incorporate these beautiful aboriginal trees into your landscape .
Blog Network: Martha’s Circle
It ’s no enigma that I love planting trees . This class , we ’re set up in a lot of beautiful and interesting ones .
My gardeners and I go through the potted seedling every year and decide where they will go . Some will go in the woods , and others will go in certain spots around my house . I have implant 1000 of Tree since I purchased my Bedford , New York belongings . I sense very powerfully about giving back to the earth – the more trees plant , the better . The crew planted a grouping of Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum trees last workweek in a clearing outside my northeastern paddock and cheeseparing to my American beech tree orchard .
Fast Growing Shade Tree Sweet Gum
FAQ
Do sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have invasive root ?
What are the bunko of sweet gingiva trees ?
Are sweetgum trees a pain in the neck ?
Do sweetgum tree diagram fall easily ?
Where do dulcet gum trees grow ?
Sweet gum trees are native throughout the easterly U.S. to key Florida and east Texas . The fall gloss of this tree diagram still get without inhuman temperatures in warmer climate area . A sweet gum grows rapidly , forming a unbowed , tall automobile trunk early on before becoming extensive and function as an excellent shade tree .
How do you turn a sweet gum tree ?
institute fresh gum in full sun to partial shade in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9 . It grows best in neutral to acidic soil that is moist but well - draining . pick out an uncrowded infinite ; these trees call for a large field for root development . And grade them where their gumballs wo n’t become annoying when they fall to the ground . Plant fresh chewing gum trees in springtime .
What does a sweet mucilage tree search like ?
Sweet gum trees ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) , also called sweetgum trees , are known for their distinctive , five - pointed glossy unripe leaves that reverse yellow , gold , red , pinkish , and purple in fall , as well as the large figure of spikey semen gumballs they give rise each yr .
What is a sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ?
Sweetgum tree diagram grow relatively quickly and its yield attract a wide range of wildlife , from goldfinches , sparrows , and mourning dove , to chipmunk and squirrels . Fun Fact : The sweetgum got its name from the Native American practice of chewing the resin that seeps out from under its barque , as one would chew gumwood .
Are sweetgum trees deserving planting ?
Here ’s how it works . Sweetgum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) look spectacular in fall when their leaf turn glorious nicety of scarlet , yellow , orange , or purpleness . The autumn show continues into late fall and former winter , and these stately shade Tree are worth planting just to enjoy this crepuscle coloring material .
Is a sweetgum tree diagram proper for your cubic yard ?
Keep reading to check whether one of these trees is ripe for your railway yard . you could recognize this tree diagram by its five - pointed , star - form leaves and green or browned fruit balls . The sweetgum tree produces a full canopy in the summer which provide hatful of shade , and deep orange , red , and icteric leaves in the gloam .