Sweetgum- Liquidambar

[Cmd5235]

Well, I’m a sucker for decent trunks and roots. I field collected a bunch of Sweetgum that were being removed and destroyed, mostly because I love the bark on the trunks. I collected these bare root and abused in January and February, thinking they would die. As of now....they haven’t.....so.....thoughts?

 

[Shibui]

Don't let a few small shoots lull you into a false sense of security. Lots of collected trees will shoot using the resources stored in the trunk but without new roots they eventually wilt and die.
I have had no problem collecting liquidamber so thought that they would all be easy but someone on here corrected me and said American sweetgum is notoriously difficult?
Good luck with these. I have my fingers crossed for your trees.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Nothing to do with these this year except let them grow. You will know how successful you were next year, see what is still alive summer 2021. Just let them grow.

 

[coh]

As Leo said...let them grow this year. They look good so far but I've seen logs that were cut one fall sprout the next spring just using stored energy.

I've never collected sweetgum but do have one in my growing bed that I will need to dig soon (next spring probably). I have one that has been grown as a bonsai for many years and have found it to be a difficult subject for 2 reasons: (1) large leaves and (2) a tendency for twigs and branches to die back for no identifiable reason. Others have said they have trouble with random branch die back too. For me, that's part of the reason I've been unable to reduce leaf size - I haven't been able to build enough branching/twigging. Maybe someone on the forum has some experience and thoughts to share regarding American sweetgum as bonsai.

 

[Cmd5235]

Don't let a few small shoots lull you into a false sense of security. Lots of collected trees will shoot using the resources stored in the trunk but without new roots they eventually wilt and die.
I have had no problem collecting liquidamber so thought that they would all be easy but someone on here corrected me and said American sweetgum is notoriously difficult?
Good luck with these. I have my fingers crossed for your trees.

Thank you! Me too. I’m just letting them grow this year.

 

[Cmd5235]

Nothing to do with these this year except let them grow. You will know how successful you were next year, see what is still alive summer 2021. Just let them grow.

Yep, I’m just letting them grow this year. I’m not touching, wiring, pruning, nothing.

 

[Cmd5235]

A few quick updates- seem to be doing alright so far.

 

[JoeR]

Those look like they may have made it. I have collected a few sweetgum, and as others said they sent shoots out with stored energy and then failed. If I remember correctly Zach Smith bonsai has a few articles on them, you should look his website up

 

[Cmd5235]

Those look like they may have made it. I have collected a few sweetgum, and as others said they sent shoots out with stored energy and then failed. If I remember correctly Zach Smith bonsai has a few articles on them, you should look his website up

I’m looking at that now. As others said, I’m just letting these guys grow out this year. I’ll start working on them next year, but I’m just happy at where they are at this time. I collected them in early spring/late winter, which I’ve read is the absolute worst time to do it, but I haven’t lost any of them (I have a few more, didn’t want to spam too many images).

 

[Tree by River]

They should be good, they rolling out. They will all be nice specimens. Nothing like learning on your own, that way you gain experience as you go. I like to call it putting tools in your tool box. Before long you will have many tools. Good luck

 

[Cmd5235]

Some of these Sweetgums are showing some fall color. It’s been a tough year for all of these stumps, but I’ve let them grow freely and I am hopeful

 

[Cmd5235]

 

[Wulfskaar]

I just collected a bunch of sweetgum seeds last week!

 

[Tall Guy]

I think these will all make it, nice color!