Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a stately deciduous tree known for its unique star-shaped leaves and exceptional fall color display, often featuring a mix of yellow, orange, red, and purple on a single tree. Native to the eastern United States, it thrives in moist, well-drained soils but is adaptable to a range of site conditions, including heavier clay soils. Its upright, pyramidal form when young matures into a more rounded canopy, making it a valuable shade and street tree.
‘Rotundiloba’
‘Rotundiloba’ is a popular fruitless cultivar of sweetgum known for its rounded leaf lobes and lack of spiky seed balls, making it a cleaner option for streetscapes and residential landscapes. It maintains the species’ excellent fall color while reducing maintenance concerns.