Sweetgum

Sweetgum is a fast-growing deciduous tree reaching 60 to 100 feet tall with a pyramidal crown that becomes more oval-rounded with age. You identify it by its distinctive star-shaped leaves, usually with five lobes (sometimes seven), which are deeply serrated, glossy dark green above, and fragrant when crushed; petioles are nearly as long as the blade. Young stems often develop corky wings. The fruit is a woody, mace-like spherical cluster of capsules, about 1.5 inches across, green at first then brown when mature, persisting through winter. Native to swampy woods and rich bottomlands from Connecticut to Texas, it displays brilliant fall color ranging from yellow and orange to purple and red.

In the PNW, sweetgum prefers full sun with moist, slightly acidic soil, though it tolerates a range of conditions and establishes successfully in clay soils and urban settings. The tree has a shallow root system that may take three to four months to recover from transplanting shock, during which shoot growth is limited; plan for establishment time. Watch for cankers, diebacks, and leaf spot in the PNW landscape. The woody fruits are persistent and fall to the ground year-round, creating a maintenance consideration in managed landscapes. Cultivars like 'Moraine' and 'Worplesdon' offer refined form and fall color. Resprout ability is documented, making it useful for restoration where native habitat is desired.