Sweetgum ∗ The 10 best care tips and cut correctly

Origin and Distribution

The American has its home Sweetgum tree in North and Central America, where he lived between the state of New York and the Central American state of Nicaragua primarily in Is at home in river valleys and on mountain slopes - provided the subsoil there is rich in nutrients, deep and rather fresh wet.

The species belongs to the genus of sweetgum trees (Liquidambar), which was formerly part of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). In the meantime, however, botanists are of the opinion that the group forms its own very small plant family, the Altingiaceae, with only about 15 species. Amber trees are therefore not only native to North America, some species also thrive in the Mediterranean region (Oriental Sweet gum, Liquidambar orientalis) as well as in East and Southeast Asia (for example the Formosa sweet gum, Liquidambar formosana).

In Europe, however, the American sweetgum tree is mainly cultivated as an ornamental and park tree. The species came to the Old World as early as 1681, and many varieties are now available in different sizes and heights.

use

While the American sweetgum tree is mainly cultivated as an ornamental tree in private gardens and in public parks, it is a valuable useful wood in its homeland. Not only that the sweet smelling Storax, as the resin of the species is also called, is an important raw material for the production of chewing gum as well as in natural medicine is used, the hard wood of the sweetgum tree, which is very similar in grain and color to walnut wood, is also very used in furniture production asked.

In addition, the aromatic sweet gum and its resin are used as raw materials for the production of perfumes, soaps and other cosmetics. Although the resin of the tree is called "Storax", the sweetgum tree is in no way related to the actual Storax tree (Styrax americanus) - only it already had it in the 18th century. Century replaced in the resin extraction.

Appearance and stature

In their homeland, wild specimens of the sweetgum tree reach heights of up to 45 meters. This makes the species one of the tallest growing deciduous trees, but in Central Europe it usually does not exceed about 20 meters even in climatically mild regions. In addition to the tall species, there are also some clearly smaller varieties available, the heights between Reach around four to a maximum of ten meters and therefore also suitable as a house tree for the private garden are.

At a young age, the sweetgum tree has a cone-shaped, rather narrow growth, but can grow broadly with increasing age. The initially red-brown bark later turns gray-brown and develops a wide furrow as well as the cork strips characteristic of the species.

leaves

The sweetgum tree has another name that it owes to its maple-like leaves: It is called the starfish tree because the five- to seven-lobed, hand-shaped leaves are strongly reminiscent of the Sea creatures. Laypeople often confuse the sweetgum tree with the native maple due to the shape of its foliage.

During the summer months, the alternately arranged leaves, which are up to 15 centimeters long, are shiny green, but often take on their wonderful autumn colors as early as the end of September. In the case of the sweetgum tree, nature seems to reach particularly deep into the color pot, because the color palette ranges from yellow-orange to orange-red and carmine red to purple tones. This broad coloration can often even be observed on one and the same tree.

The American sweetgum is one of the garden trees with the most beautiful autumn leaves, which is also the main reason for its popularity as a house and ornamental tree. Incidentally, the foliage also exudes the characteristic aromatic scent when you rub it gently between your fingers.
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Flowering and flowering period

The rather inconspicuous blossom of the sweetgum tree appears in the merry month of May. The species is monoecious, develops both female and male flowers on the same plant. Male flowers resemble upright, greenish spikes and are about five to seven centimeters long. The female inflorescences, however, sit on chestnut-like, hanging balls. Pollination takes place via insects.

fruit

At first glance, the spherical fruits of the sweetgum tree with long spikes resemble the fruit capsules of the sweet chestnut. However, with a diameter of two to three centimeters, they are significantly smaller, and they are made up of numerous woody capsules. Amber trees only start to produce fruits from an age of around 20 years. These stick to the tree for a long time and often do not fall to the ground until spring.

On the ground, the brown fruit pops open so that the small seeds fall straight to the ground. However, most of them cannot germinate and can therefore not be used for propagation. You can recognize the sterile seeds by the fact that they are noticeably small and rather angular in shape. Only a few seeds are fertile and therefore germinable. They are much larger, elliptical in shape and have membranous wings that the wind uses to carry them to new locations.
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Toxicity

Although the resin of the sweetgum tree is still an important raw material for the production of natural medicines and chewing gum, it is only safe after its industrial processing. Otherwise, all parts of plants are considered to be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes for both humans and animals to toxic, with symptoms of poisoning occurring mainly in children and smaller pets can.

Which location is suitable?

As in its natural locations, a sweetgum tree cultivated in the garden also needs a location in full sun and as warm as possible. It is best to plant the sapling in a place protected from wind and rain in front of a light house wall or wall, which is also optimally oriented to the south. Here the tree gets enough sun and protection, which it needs especially in the first few years - the species only develops its frost resistance with increasing age. Wind protection is also important because the sweetgum tree loses its protective leaves quite early in the year.

On the other hand, a place is usually too dark, even in a partially or lightly shaded location. The species only develops its colorful autumn leaves in very sunny and warm locations.
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floor

The optimal soil for the American sweetgum tree is deep, loose and well-drained, moderately nutrient-rich to humus and fresh. At best, you put it in loamy soil, because the species does not tolerate lean sandy soils as well as calcareous soils. While the sweetgum tree grows very slowly on sand, it quickly develops unhealthy yellow leaves on calcareous soil. Waterlogging, in turn, leads to rot and thus to the death of the tree.

Pot culture

Since the sweetgum tree is very sensitive to cold, wind and other weather conditions in the first few years you should first cultivate it in a large container and gradually adapt it to the climatic conditions get used to. In the long run, however, the tall species cannot be kept in a planter without having to severely restrict its growth. Amber trees grown as bonsai, for example, require a lot of attention and care.

Plant sweetgum properly

Plant the sweetgum tree as follows:

• Dig a planting hole.
• This should be twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
• Loosen the soil on the sides and bottom of the hole.
• Mix the excavated material with compost and Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) / Horn meal.
• If the soil is heavy, install drainage, for example through pebbles.
• Insert the tree so deep that the grafting point is covered with earth.
• Plant a support stake.
• Connect this securely to the trunk, e.g. B. with a bast ribbon.
• Fill in the planting hole and carefully tread on the soil.
• Sludge the fresh soil with plenty of water.
• Mulching The root disc so that the soil does not dry out.

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What is the best time to plant?

Basically, the sweetgum tree can be planted both in early autumn and in late spring. However, since young specimens in particular are quite sensitive to cold and wind, you should prefer spring.
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The correct planting distance

As the sweetgum trees can grow up to 20 meters high and eight meters wide when fully grown, they need a lot of space. Therefore, the species is only suitable for a solitary position in the garden that meets these requirements - especially since transplanting in later years becomes difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, the sweetgum tree is very well tolerated by pruning, but depending on the variety it is also quite fast-growing and therefore with the Secateurs difficult to limit in height and width.

Underplants

Amber trees have a loose growth and let a lot of light through their crown. Therefore, they can be well planted under with ground cover and other perennials, as long as they do not compete too strongly. For example, onion flowers that bloom in spring such as tulips and are very suitable Daffodils, but also monkshood, autumn anemones, forest bluebells and hostas.

Watering sweetgum

Specimens cultivated in pots must of course be watered regularly during the growing season, as they cannot take care of themselves. Even freshly planted and young amber trees can be given a swing from the watering can in dry weather. Older, well-established trees, on the other hand, can do without additional watering.

Fertilize sweetgum properly

The same applies to the supply of fertilizer: only young trees benefit from spring fertilization with compost and horn shavings to accelerate their slow growth. With older, well-rooted sweetgum trees, however, an additional supply of nutrients is not necessary.
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Cut sweetgum properly

Amber trees are very pruning and can therefore be kept as a bonsai or as a pot culture for a few years. In contrast to fruit trees, however, regular maintenance or Maintenance pruning is basically unnecessary, and such a measure affects the natural growth habit. It is therefore best to simply let the tree grow and only remove dead, diseased and wood that is too dense in the spring.
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Propagate sweetgum

As a rule, sweetgum trees are propagated through grafting, but they can also be grown from seeds. In contrast to grafted specimens, however, seedlings are unpredictable in their properties, and only a few of the mature seeds are actually capable of germination. Choose for the sowing only large, elliptically shaped seeds.

These need a cold stimulus so that the germ inhibition is broken. You should therefore store the seeds in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for about two months or sow them in a covered one in autumn Cold frame the end. From spring onwards, the seeds need constant temperatures from 20 ° C for germination and growth.
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How do I transplant properly?

Once planted, sweetgum trees should only be replanted within the first three to a maximum of five years. After that, they usually do not tolerate a change of location very well.

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pest infestation occur only very rarely on the sweetgum tree. On the other hand, typical location and maintenance errors, such as those, are more common

• in places that are too dark
• compacted or otherwise unsuitable soil
• if it is too dry
• with insufficient fertilization
• as well as waterlogging

appear. Affected trees develop yellow to brown leaves that are shed after a while. In addition, they only grow very poorly. Since sweetgum trees are very sensitive, they can die off quickly, especially if there is too little / too much water.

Overwinter

Only the American sweetgum, both the oriental and the oriental, is sufficiently hardy in Central Europe the Asian Formosa sweetgum come from mild winter climates and are accordingly not tolerates frost. However, the American relative only develops its hardiness with increasing age, which is why some experts at least for young trees a bucket culture and a gradual hardening recommends. Later, when the tree is planted out, it is given winter protection in the first few winters. To do this, cover the root area with sticks, Mulch(€ 239.00 at Amazon *) or straw and wrap the trunk with it at low temperatures below zero Garden fleece. Later, however, the tree develops sufficient frost hardiness.

Species and varieties

Only the American sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is hardy in this country and can withstand temperatures of down to minus 24 ° C in protected locations. Some beautiful varieties of this species are now available that are wonderfully suitable for the home garden:

• 'Gumball': slow-growing variety with a maximum height of two meters and a spherical crown
• 'Oktoberglut': very popular variety with bright, colorful autumn colors and a maximum height of three meters
• 'Variegata': variegated white foliage, a maximum height of two meters, perfect for long-term keeping in a bucket
• 'Worplesdon': slow growth, up to a maximum height of ten meters, fiery red autumn color
• 'Silver King': also variegated white foliage, bright red autumn colors, maximum height of five meters
• 'Slender Silhouette': slim column shape with a maximum width of one meter, wonderful for small gardens

Other types of sweetgum such as the Chinese sweetgum (Liquidambar acalycina), the oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) or the Taiwanese sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana), on the other hand, are not suitable for planting in Central European gardens, but can be grown in sufficiently large pots and with much careful care Winter gardens or can also be cared for outside during the summer months.