In the summer, anyone who doesn't know him probably doesn't think he's a particularly unusual specimen. There it stands with its dark green foliage color and tends to fade into the background next to other trees. But as soon as autumn arrives, there are real fireworks!
When and how does the sweetgum tree show its autumn colors?
The autumn colors of the sweetgum tree appear from September to November. The leaves turn into different colors such as yellow, yellow-orange, crimson, black-violet and brown. Different varieties have specific autumn colors; the intensity of the coloring is strongest in full sun, warm and wind-protected locations.
From mid-September and deep into autumn
As temperatures slowly drop one floor down, the foliage of the sweetgum tree is encouraged to change color. This is often the case around mid-September, but by the end of September at the latest. The striking autumn colors can last until November. Under optimal conditions it lasts for up to 8 weeks.
The colors of the leaves
The lobed leaves, which have presented themselves from their inconspicuous side over the summer, turn extremely striking in color in the fall. It's almost hopeless to turn away. Your gaze keeps wandering to the sweetgum tree
Depending on the variety, autumn leaves cover almost the entire color range. These leaves can show all the fall colors possible. Sometimes it's not just one color per leaf, but a leaf has two different colors that contrast with each other (e.g. red and yellow).
Commonly seen colors in sweetgum trees are yellow, yellow-orange, carmine red, black-violet and brown. Different gradations of these tones are generated. With this variety of colors and luminosity, sweetgum trees are one of the most beautiful autumn-colored plants in the garden!
Different varieties, different autumn colors
But not all sweetgum trees are the same. The varieties tend to differ in terms of their autumn colors. Here you will get an overview of the most famous varieties and their autumn colors.
- ‘Worplesdon’: fiery red
- ‘Variegata’: cream white
- ‘Oktoberglu’: red, yellow and orange
- ‘Gumball’: red, yellow
- ‘Silver King’: orange-red to purple
- ‘Aurora’: orange-red
- ‘Burgundy’: burgundy
- ‘Ellen’: blood red
- ‘Golden Sun’: yellow, red to purple
- ‘Golden Treasure’: yellow-green
- ‘Moraine’: yellow, wine red to violet
- ‘Stared’: glowing red
Tip
The autumn color is most intense in a location that is in full sun, warm and protected from the wind. In addition, the autumn color develops earlier in nutrient-poor soils.
