Other Names:  American Sweet Gum, Sweetgum

Description:

A shrubby, seedless version of the species with interestingly shaped leaves that turn deep red in fall; somewhat particular about growing conditions; an ideal size for garden use or the smaller landscape

Ornamental Features

Milestone Dwarf Sweet Gum has forest green deciduous foliage on a plant with an oval habit of growth. The small lobed palmate leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Milestone Dwarf Sweet Gum is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Milestone Dwarf Sweet Gum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Milestone Dwarf Sweet Gum will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.