Happidaze® Sweetgum

The Happidaze® Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Hapdell’) is a large-sized shade tree. It has an upright and more narrow and pyramidal form when young but as it matures its branches start to spread and it acquires a more dense, oval canopy. It has interesting leaves that are star-shaped, almost resembling very deeply cut maple leaves, that have 5 lobes and are glossy green. In the fall, they turn a nice maroon and stay on the tree longer than most fall color trees. Its strong central leader consists of coarse bark that has corky fissures even on the young branches and twigs. This tree is also a fruitless variety, so no messy clean up to worry about. 

The Happidaze® Sweetgum was selected around 2000 at the Bernheim Arboretum in Kentucky. It is a great choice as a shade tree. Well suited for big yards where it has space for its canopy to open up and spread. It is also used in the trade in more urban residential areas and streets where there is space. It has a captivating appearance, and no litter from the canopy besides its leaves in the fall make it even more appealing. It should be planted in full sun and tolerates most soil types but does not like sandy soil.