It is one of the most beautiful ornamental trees that decorate our gardens. But can you plant it in a pot or will it get too big? Read on and you'll know!
How big does a sweetgum tree get?
Amber trees can grow between 10 and 45 meters high, depending on the variety. Small-growing varieties such as 'Gumball', 'Oktoberglut', 'Silver King' and 'Variegata' are suitable for home gardens and containers, while large-growing specimens are ideal for parks, street spaces and public spaces.
One of the largest deciduous trees in Europe
The sweetgum tree is one of the largest deciduous trees in Europe. It reaches a height of between 20 and 45 m. However, in this country it only reaches these dimensions in exceptional cases. They are not uncommon in his homeland.
In our climate, the sweetgum tree usually grows 15 to 20 m high. Its growth width is on average 4 to 6 m. A width of up to 10 m is the exception. It doesn't take too long to reach these dimensions in height and width (20 to 50 cm per year).
The growth changes over time
The sweetgum tree naturally has a shapely growth. It is often multi-stemmed. The leading shoot is continuous and the tree initially forms a narrow pyramidal to conical crown. This is moderately translucent.
With age, the crown becomes more ovoid. The main branches are upright, while the side branches are horizontal to sloping. In old age, a rounded and open crown usually develops.
Rather large specimens
In addition to the well-known variety 'Stella', which grows up to 25 m high and 6 m wide, there are other varieties that tend to be large specimens and are best suited to large plots of land, parks, streets, etc public places.
Here are the varieties:
- 'Worplesdon': up to 15 m high, symmetrically structured, 20 to 40 cm per year
- 'Moraine': up to 12 m high and 6 m wide, uniform growth
- Columnar sweetgum tree: maximum 15 m high and 3 m wide
- White sweetgum tree: up to 10 m high and 6 m wide, 20 to 40 cm per year
Small sweetgum trees – ideal for home gardens and containers
Even more spatially limited locations can be planted with sweetgum trees. The following varieties are well suited: 'Gumball', 'Oktoberglut', 'Silver King' and 'Variegata'.
Tip
The wetter and more nutrient-rich the soil, the faster the sweetgum tree grows. If the site conditions are optimal, it can grow up to 90 cm annually!
