If you’re looking for a nice shade tree, and want to add some fall color to your North Texas residence, then the American sweetgum is surely a great choice. It is widely known for its five-pointed star shaped leaves and hard, spiked fruits that look like a “mace”. The leaves will turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red and purple in the fall. They grow to be around 60 to 80 feet tall and 40 to 60 feet wide, forming a neatly compacted crown.