Avoid planting on very alkaline or waterlogged soil — both cause poor autumn colour and general stress.
Care
Needed for the best autumn leaf colour.
Fertile, moisture-retentive, slightly acidic soil for the best autumn colour; tolerates neutral soil, struggles on very alkaline or waterlogged ground.
Minimal — formative pruning only while young, in winter while dormant.
An established tree needs nothing; keep a young one mulched and clear of grass instead. Autumn colour depends on the season and the clone, not on feeding — a fed tree does not colour better.
Named clones with reliable autumn colour are grafted, so a seedling is a gamble. Seed sown outdoors in autumn germinates after a cold winter if you want to take that gamble.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- AprilFeed as growth resumes, particularly while establishing. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the vivid, multi-coloured autumn leaf display — the main reason this tree is grown.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- AprilFeed as growth resumes, particularly while establishing. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the vivid, multi-coloured autumn leaf display — the main reason this tree is grown.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- MarchFeed as growth resumes, particularly while establishing. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the vivid, multi-coloured autumn leaf display — the main reason this tree is grown.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- MarchFeed as growth resumes, particularly while establishing. how ›
- NovemberEnjoy the vivid, multi-coloured autumn leaf display — the main reason this tree is grown.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Yellowing leaves on very alkaline soil.
What to do. Grow in a large pot with ericaceous-leaning compost if soil is markedly alkaline.
How to spot it. Poor growth, root problems on heavy wet clay.
What to do. Improve drainage before planting or choose a different site.
Questions
Sweetgum: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Suitable for a large pot while young, for several years; needs open ground long-term.
Sweetgum: when do you prune it?
Minimal — formative pruning only while young, in winter while dormant. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in January.
When do you feed it?
An established tree needs nothing; keep a young one mulched and clear of grass instead. Autumn colour depends on the season and the clone, not on feeding — a fed tree does not colour better.