The sweetgum tree native to North America can reach a final height of between 20 and 40 meters. It is known in incense science for its fragrant resin. Elsewhere it is best known for its wonderfully colored leaves in autumn…

The sweetgum leaves turn bright red in autumn

From spring to summer

From the time they sprout and until late summer, the sweetgum tree presents itself in a rich green colour. It drives out its leaves between April and May. These are colored dark green on top. The underside describes more of a light green.

In autumn - bright warm colors

Autumn time means color time. Now the fantastic autumn coloring of the leaves begins! With them, the sweetgum is one of the most beautiful autumn-coloring shrubs for gardens. It usually starts around mid-September and the foliage slowly changes colour.

The colors range from yellow tones to orange and red tones. The leaves can even be colored black-purple in suitable locations. Basically, the sunnier, the more beautiful the autumn colors. In the shade, the leaves tend to have a yellowish tinge.

In the sun, beautiful colors between orange-red and purple are often achieved. The whole tree looks like a blazing campfire in October. It burns and glows and stands out clearly among other autumn-decorated trees. This autumn coloring can last up to 8 weeks! Then it comes to the shedding of leaves…

General characteristics of the leaves

Whether in budding, in midsummer or in autumn - the leaves always show the following characteristics:

  • long stalked
  • similar to those of maples
  • alternately arranged
  • easy to set up
  • lobed (three, five or seven lobes)
  • entire to serrate (depending on variety)
  • tapering to the ends
  • shiny on the surface
  • 10 to 20 cm long
  • linear stipules
  • when rubbed: sweetly fragrant

Different varieties, different leaves

Not all sweetgum varieties have the same colors and characteristics. For example, the hanging sweetgum tends to be yellow in autumn, the variegated sweetgum shows an outstanding color gradient, the oriental sweetgum has rounded leaves and the yellow-shooted sweetgum is golden yellow when it shoots.

tips

On nutrient-poor soils, the autumn colors of the leaves are both longer and more intense.

Category:

Trees