Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Feel the soil depth to see if it is dry.
- Check your recent fertilizer application history.
- Inspect the leaves for signs of salt crusting.
Likely causes
Salt accumulation
PossibleHow to tell: The edges of the leaves turn crisp and brown while the rest of the leaf remains green. This often happens if you use heavy fertilizers or if your tap water has high mineral content.
What to do: Flush the soil by watering deeply with distilled or rainwater to wash away excess salts. Avoid using chemical fertilizers until the tree recovers and shows new growth.
Drought stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves look wilted and the tips turn brown during hot, dry summer months. The soil will feel dry and cracked several inches down.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days during dry spells. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help the soil retain moisture.
Find out what's wrong with your sweetgum
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the entire leaf surface. It is normal for a few older leaves to brown slightly as the season ends.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid over fertilizing during the peak of summer heat.
Keep your sweetgum healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will these brown tips turn green again?
- No, the brown tissue is dead and will not recover. You can trim the tips off for aesthetics if you like.
- Does my tree need more water?
- If the soil is dry more than 3 inches deep, your tree likely needs a deep soak. Ensure the water reaches the root zone.
More problems with Sweetgum
- Why are my American sweetgum leaves turning yellow?
- What are these spots on my American sweetgum leaves?
- Why is my American sweetgum dropping leaves early?
- Why is my American sweetgum tree drooping?
- What is eating my American sweetgum leaves?
- Why is my American sweetgum showing signs of root rot?
- Why are my American sweetgum leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.