Liquidambar styraciflua is a tall tree, 15-20 m high, rising up to 25 m in the homeland.

The American sweet gum initially has a rather narrow crown, later widening. Straight protruding trunk with deeply grooved bark. Branches and twigs covered with strips of corky bark. Leaf palmately divided, resembling a pointy lobed maple leaf, 10-15 cm in size. Shiny deep green, beautiful red to almost black and yellow autumn colour.

Requires a warm and sunny planting location sheltered against cold winds. Permeable, fertile sandy or loamy soil, damp but not too wet and non-calcareous.

Liquidambar styraciflua is a beautiful park tree, with an extraordinary autumn colouring may also be planted as an avenue tree on wide, open green verges in sheltered avenues.