General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Tree
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0)
Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5b -26.1 °C (-15 °F) to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 40 to 70 feet
Plant Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Leaves: Good fall color
Deciduous
Fruit: Other: bears no fruit or very little
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Street Tree
Uses: Shade Tree
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Flood Resistant
Propagation: Other methods: Other: probably grafting or budding
Pollinators: Bees

Image
Common names
  • Fruitless Sweetgum
  • Sweet Gum
  • Seedless Sweet Gum
  • Liquid Amber

Photo Gallery
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Date: 2022-10-09
close-up of leaves with rounded lobes
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Date: 2022-10-09
glossy foliage
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Date: 2022-10-09
maturing tree planted in yard
Location: Richmond
Date: 2024-04-20
I was stoked to see this -- Unfortunately, I did not collect a le
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
Date: 2022-10-09
bark and trunk of maturing tree
Comments:
  • Posted by ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Jan 4, 2023 10:31 AM concerning plant:
    I was walking around with my camera near my new home and I came upon a front yard with a Sweetgum that had different-looking leaves. The lobes were not pointed but were rounded. I had heard reports of a "Fruitless" Sweetgum some years ago, but never saw one until now. It is reported that this cultivar can bear a few fruits. The original mother tree was discovered near Pinehurst, North Carolina by a certain Rassie E. Wicker about 1930. The original tree has died, but some trees from the first buds or scions are still around. The nursery industry does offer some here and there.

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