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Sweetgum · Liquidambar styraciflua

What is eating my American sweetgum leaves?

It is less common for pests to cause major damage to a healthy sweetgum, but occasionally scale insects or webworms can move in. Check the undersides of the leaves and the branches for any visible insects or webbing.

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for small bumps.
  2. Look for silk webbing on the branch tips.
  3. Check for sticky residue on the leaves or ground.

Likely causes

  1. Scale insects

    Possible

    How to tell: You will see small, bump like growths on the stems or undersides of leaves. These insects suck sap and can cause the tree to lose vigor.

    What to do: Apply horticultural oil or neem oil to the affected branches during the dormant season. For minor cases, you can gently scrape them off with a soft brush.

  2. Fall webworms

    Possible

    How to tell: Large, unsightly silk webs appear on the ends of branches, enclosing leaves. The caterpillars inside will eat the foliage within the web.

    What to do: Prune out the infested branch tips if you can reach them safely. You can also use a strong spray of water to break up the webs and expose the caterpillars to predators.

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 infestation covers a large portion of the canopy or if the tree shows signs of significant dieback. It is normal to see a few stray insects on a large outdoor tree.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your tree healthy with proper watering and sunlight, as stressed trees are more likely to attract pests.

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.

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Questions people ask

Do I need to use harsh pesticides?
Usually not, as natural oils and physical removal are often enough to manage these pests. Avoid broad spectrum sprays that kill beneficial insects.
Will these pests kill my tree?
Most common sweetgum pests are a nuisance rather than a death sentence. With proper care, the tree will outgrow the damage.

More problems with Sweetgum

Back to the Sweetgum guide

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.