Tuesday's Trees- Liquidambar styraciflua

Yes, I know everyone wanted a profile of the ever popular Sweetgum tree.  I think it is the tree that everyone loves to hate.  Planted in the home garden it is a nuisance because of the gumballs that fall every year.  These spiny seed pods riddle the neighborhood lawns, much to the dismay of those who tend the lawns. 

This native tree is a great food source  for birds and small animals.  Additionally the tree is a handsome hardwood used in many commercial applications.   The wood has many uses; from veneers, plywood, crates, boxes, furniture to railroad ties.  

The native range of this tree is roughly south of Pennsylvania through Maryland and Virginia, south to Florida.  The western range reaches Texas along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is as far north as the bootheel of Missouri, heading eastward through Kentucky and Tennessee.  In other words, the South is blessed with Gumballs.    Zone hardiness 5-9. 

The tree is monoecious and the flowers, both male and female are inconspicuous, though those little seedballs are anything but ~!   It is propagated by seed, as anyone who has a Liquidambar in their yard can tell you. 

An immature twig is yellow green in color.

As the bark and twigs of this tree mature, they usually grow corky apendages.  Some of these wings are quite large and contorted looking.  A young tree has a smooth bark with bumps and warts, as the tree matures the trunk becomes more ridged and the bark is gray/ brown.  These wings are one of the best indentifying characteristics of Sweetgum trees....especially when the leaves are gone and the last of the gumballs have fallen. 

The Sweetgum goes by other common names, perhaps given a good PR firm, it could get a little more respect.  Other names are Starleaf-gum, redgum, or sapgum.  Starleaf-gum is a good one to describe its beautiful leaves.  These leaves are 4- 7 inches in diameter. 

In the fall these beautiful star shaped leaves turn glorious colors, ranging from bright yellow to purple-red.  It is a striking tree in the landscape in the fall.   The overall shape of the tree is cone shaped symmetrical reaching heights of 100 feet tall.   It grows in full sun to part shade and known as a fast grower.  I have lots of little Sweetgum in my woods.  We did have some in the garden areas of the yard that were taken out.  I will let the trees be in the woods, but I am with the rest of you---keep them out of the gardens.  These trees can live 100- 150 years. 

The leaves, when crushed are aromatic.  In addition to the lumber's commercial uses, the gum (resin) has been used for soaps, in adhesives, and for chewing gum.  So, next time you are thinking how much you dislike that Sweetgum, think about all the benefits this tree has to offer.

references-- VTech- good photos with concise information, US Forestry Silvics Manual-- always an excellent source of detailed information, and Duke-- great photos of the flowers- both male and female. Floridata, always another good source.

thanks for visiting this week's edition of Tuesday's Trees, next week's tree- Sycamore.

words and photos by Janet,The Queen of Seaford.