The Sweetgum tree (Liquidambar) is a total low-maintenance superstar in the garden, and it’s a huge fan favorite thanks to those jaw-dropping leaf colors in the fall. One of the best things about it? It’s incredibly easygoing when it comes to pruning.
No Regular Pruning Required
For the most part, Sweetgums handle pruning well, but they don’t actually *need* a regular haircut. However, these beauties can reach a height of up to 65 feet, so you might find yourself needing to trim it back just to keep its size in check.
Typically, the Sweetgum grows with a straight trunk and a crown that isn’t overly sprawling. Its growth habit actually looks a lot like a native Maple. The leaves are pretty similar, too, but you can easily tell them apart by their fruit. While Maples have those iconic winged “helicopter” seeds, Sweetgums produce spiky, ball-shaped seed pods that look a bit like chestnuts.
Pruning Only When Necessary
Every once in a while, a real pruning session becomes unavoidable—like if the branches are getting too wide or if some parts of the tree are looking a bit scrawny. Even though Sweetgums aren’t very prone to diseases, they can occasionally deal with pests or stress from improper care that causes branches to die off. In those cases, you’ll want to prune them back to encourage healthy new growth.
To get the job done, you’ll need:
- A pruning saw
- Loppers
- Hand pruners
If you’re taking off larger branches, keep some tree wound sealer handy to close up the cuts. Open “wounds” can be an entry point for fungi and bacteria that might hurt the tree. Also, pro tip: always clean and disinfect your tools before you start to prevent spreading any germs from plant to plant!
When to Prune
You’ve got two main windows for pruning: fall or early spring. I personally prefer early spring because the tree hasn’t leafed out yet, making it way easier to see the shape of the crown and decide where to cut.
You can start pruning around April. This is also the perfect time to clear out any branches that didn’t survive the winter frost. Just a heads-up: Sweetgums aren’t the biggest fans of heavy wind, so if a nasty storm causes damage, you can make an exception and trim those broken branches right away, regardless of the season.
While spring is great for light maintenance, fall is the better choice if you need to do a heavy cut-back (like if the tree is getting too big for its britches). Just wait until most of the leaves have fallen off—depending on where you live, that’s usually mid-to-late October.
Propagating from Cuttings
A nice bonus of pruning in the spring is that you can actually propagate your Sweetgum using cuttings from the trimmings. Look for healthy pieces that are at least 6 inches long and have at least three buds on them. Happy planting!
