GumBall Sweet Gum Tree – Cultivation and Care

One tree that fits really well in a front yard is the GumBall sweet gum. We will tell you here how to plant and care for it.

The GumBall sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), which actually comes from North America, can be easily integrated into our front gardens and small gardens due to its low height of around 2 meters. An absolute eye-catcher is its spherical crown on a small standard, which gives it its actual attractiveness - but also requires regular trimming.

But don't worry, you will be rewarded for the regular effort in autumn, because then the tree will surprise you with a beautiful color of the leaves. And the best thing about it is that the yellow and red leaf coloring stays on the tree crown for a particularly long time, which is why the GumBall brings a little color to the often dreary gray weather year after year.

Appearance and origin of name

GumBall leaves are very similar to maple, but turn yellow as early as September, then change to orange to red and finally to a burgundy-violet leaf dress. GumBalls are often also offered as bonsai in the garden store, for which they are also particularly suitable.

By the way:
The GumBall got its name from the gardeners because its juice used to be used to make chewing gum.

GumBall sweetgum tree - cultivation and care

Extension:

You should ideally plant the GumBall sweetgum tree, which is quite expensive to buy, in the spring and in a place that is as sheltered as possible from the wind, in order to optimally protect the often quite delicate standard with the lush crown of leaves (can reach a diameter of up to 4 meters) against wind damage.

When planting the GumBall, it is important that you think of a sunny to slightly shady place, where there is also nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil. When planting, you must also water the roots well, as with any other tree.

Tip:
You shouldn't plant a young GumBall too close to a house wall, otherwise it can show its full splendor (treetop) in the course of its lifenot unfold well.

Maintenance:

» Loosen up the soil:

The ground around the GumBall should not be compacted if possible, so that e.g. no waterlogging can form around the plant. So you have to loosen the soil several times a year with a rake. But be careful: you have to be careful not to damage the root system.

» Fertilize:

In spring and/or autumn you can also supply the gum ball with a little fertilizer or compost from time to time, after which a grape-shaped flower usually develops on the GumBall from May.

» casting:

During longer periods of drought, the GumBall must of course also be watered - in the morning or in the evening, without waterlogging forming around the trunk.

» Antifreeze:

You should still protect very young GumBalls against frost in the first one to three winters. The best way to do this is to simply wrap some garden fleece around the trees. That should be enough.