Watering sweetgum, American sweetgum

• Sweetgum origin
• Sweetgum care and location
• Pruning sweetgum
• Fertilizing sweetgum trees
• Watering the sweetgum tree

Sweetgum origin

The sweetgum tree (Liquidambar) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the Altingiaceae family. It is native to North America and Asia and some subspecies can be found in Central America. In Europe, the sweetgum tree reaches a height of 20 to 30 m and an age of up to 400 years. The existence of the sweetgum tree is estimated at around 65 million years. It was introduced to Europe as an ornamental tree in the 17th century. The leaves of the sweetgum tree are green and in autumn they turn red, orange and yellow. The flowers appear in spring and are small and inconspicuous.

The fruits of the sweetgum tree are spherical capsules that ripen in autumn and contain several seeds. In traditional Chinese medicine, the sweetgum tree is used for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Indians used the resin of the sweetgum tree as a natural chewing gum and it is still used today to make chewing gum. It is also used in the production of perfumes, adhesives and oils.

Sweetgum care and location

Sweetgum trees prefer a location in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. They are undemanding in terms of soil types, but moist soil is preferred. The best time to plant is in spring or autumn.

Pruning sweetgum

The sweetgum tree does not require regular pruning, but it can be beneficial to guide growth into a certain shape or to control excessive growth. Pruning should be done in spring, before the next growing season begins. Pruning should be done cleanly to avoid permanent wounds, which can become an entry point for fungal and pest infestations.

Do you need to fertilize the sweetgum tree?

Sweet gum trees can collect nutrients from deeper soil layers, so fertilization is usually not necessary. However, if a lack of nutrients is detected, a dose of organic Fertilizer in spring to promote growth.

Water the sweetgum tree!

Due to climate change, it is getting hotter in our regions and longer dry periods are the result. This has an impact on the environment and especially on the trees. The increasing dryness and rising temperatures lead to stress in trees. Depending on the location and the climate situation, more frequent watering may be necessary than in previous years.
Newly planted trees still need to establish roots and require a lot of water. They must not dry out in summer and should be watered several times a week during dry periods.

 
Sweetgum trees have deep root systems and can collect water and nutrients from deeper soil layers. However, even mature trees should be cared for during dry periods to ensure the soil remains consistently moist. The water requirements of a sweetgum tree depend on several factors, such as the length of the dry period and the condition of the tree. Generally, young trees require 50 to 75 liters of water per watering, while older trees require 150 to 200 liters. Waterlogging should be avoided, as this can lead to root rot.

 
If the sweetgum tree is watered with a hose, a lot of water will suddenly reach the ground. There is a risk that moisture will evaporate or seep into the deep soil before it can be absorbed by the roots. tree bath watering bags watering is more efficient and water is saved. The watering bags release water continuously into the soil through two holes in the soil as drip irrigation over several hours, allowing the roots near the surface to absorb the water better. This method achieves even moisture and prevents water seepage. The watering bag covers the soil on the tree disk and thus prevents water from evaporating.