Shipped healthy and thriving here in N Central Oregon.
I suggest when planting to also put in a 2 inch pvc for direct watering of the roots and to encourage deep root growth.
Description
About The Festival Sweet Gum Tree
Easy to care for native tree with beautiful, fall colors!
The Festival Sweet Gum tree is an excellent landscape choice for modern yards. This beautiful tree has a narrow upright growth habit making it a great option to line your driveway or to provide shade in smaller yards. Inconspicuous flowering of yellow-green and spiny seed gum balls start showing in spring.
This cultivar of Festival Sweetgum grows in a narrow pyramid to a height of probably 60 feet but supposedly spreads only to about 20 feet. This tree boasts a perfectly straight trunk and interesting, corky ridges that run all along the bark. But its most outstanding feature is the spectacular fall color. Glossy, star shaped green leaves turn red, yellow or orange in early fall.
Growing Sweet Gum Trees
This native tree grows best in more southern regions, where the display of colorful foliage is most appreciated. Although it grows at a moderate pace, Sweetgum is rarely attacked by pests and tolerates wet soils.
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Green, Yellow |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 7 - 9 |
| Shade/Sun | Partial Shade - Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
When your tree matures, it will be approximately 40 - 60' tall x 15 - 25' wide.
Recommended Spacing
We recommend spacing these trees 15 - 25' apart to ensure room for growth.
Zone Compatibility
This Variety's Zone Range
7 - 9
My Hardiness Zone
?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.
Tools & Supplies
Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow shade trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.
Questions & Answers
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Why did you choose this?
How fast does the sweet gum tree grow?
According to most sources I've read, it's about 2 feet a year but can be 3 ft in the ideal climate. I planted mine spring 2023 and it grew about a foot and a half in height the first year.
Hi. We chose the Supreme EZ Start option. How many gallons is the tree when shipped? Are the roots searching so far for water to where it will impact our plumbing? How far in feet do the roots usually grow? Thanks.
It would depend if you choose just supreme or supreme xl but Supreme EZ Start® ships in a 5"x5"x12"3 - 4' tallThe same top-grade tree with a larger caliper trunk and root system.
Supreme XL ships 9"x9"x12" and 4-5' tallOur biggest and most robust potted trees. Our 7 Gallon version of these trees are also shipped to you 4-5' tall, but they are grown in even larger pots that allow the trees to develop a massive root system (subject to availability).
These trees tend to have shallow root systems and compete fiercely with the lawn for water and nutrients
How big are the trees when they arrive?
That will depend upon which option you choose. Please see the "Choose an option" dropdown menu near the top of the page, which will show you the various sizes/options that are available.
is anyone growing in zone 6a?
Renee, I purchased a couple of Festival Sweetgum's this spring. They are thriving. The trees I received from Stark's were very healthy. I see they are recommended only to zone 7 by Starks. We will see how they survive this winter. Sweetgums generally do well in zone 6a. I have grown Sweetgum's from other sources and are growing well. However the sweet gums did suffer a little winter damage when they were seedlings. I would suggest protecting them in the winter for the first year or two. Great fall colors, better than Maples
does it produce gum balls?
Yes it produces spiny seed gum balls.
What size is the tree when it’s shipped?
That will depend upon which option you choose. Please see the "Choose an option" dropdown menu near the top of the page, which will show you the various sizes/options that are available.
How fast does this tree grow?
Growth rate is moderate to rapid, putting on height at a rate of 1 to 4 feet a year for the first five to 10 years and 12 to 15 inches per year thereafter.
Customer Reviews
1 Rating
1 Review
Rated 5 out of 5
Mar 27, 2024
for fall color and the size/shape fills in a gap in my canopy perfectly
I have just always loved the beautiful fall colors of their leaves and the overall shape of the Sweet Gum trees.
I have one and wanted another
Just want another shade tree