Sweetgum ‘Cherokee’

Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Cherokee’

Common Name: Cherokee Sweetgum

Mature Height and Width:
40–60' tall × 25–35' wide

Growth Habit: Upright pyramidal when young, maturing to a broad pyramidal to oval canopy. Strong central leader with ascending scaffold branches. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Foliage Description: Deciduous, star-shaped leaves with five sharply pointed lobes. Medium green during the growing season with moderate density. Leaves held alternately along well-spaced branches, allowing visible canopy structure.

Flower Description: Inconspicuous greenish flowers in spring; not ornamental.

Bloom Time: Mid-spring.

Fall Color: Strong red to burgundy tones, often with orange highlights. Color intensity varies with site conditions.

Light Requirements: Full sun.

Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 5–9.

Notable Landscape Uses: Large shade tree; street tree (with space); lawn specimen; property line planting; autumn color accent; park or institutional landscapes.

Deer Resistance: Moderate
Young trees may experience browsing pressure in Northeast Zones 5–7.