Sweetgum

About this plant

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba' offers all the beauty of a classic Sweetgum without the messy seedpods, making it an ideal choice for patios, walkways, and high-traffic areas. Its distinctive, rounded lobe leaves provide a lush, deep green canopy throughout the summer, transforming into a spectacular display of oranges, reds, and purples in the fall. This medium to large deciduous tree develops a classic pyramidal to oval shape with age, creating an excellent shade tree for your yard. Its attractive, somewhat corky bark adds year-round visual appeal, even in winter. 'Rotundiloba' is a low-maintenance, robust tree that adapts well to various soil conditions. Plant it as a specimen, in a grouping, or along a property line for a stunning horticultural statement.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Sweetgum 'Rotundiloba' is generally low maintenance. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or crossing branches and to maintain its desired shape. Fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if soil is poor. Ensure adequate moisture during dry periods, especially in the first few years after planting.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.