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sweetgum
Scientific Name: Liquidambar
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The American sweetgum is a deciduous tree prized for its star-shaped leaves, interesting fruit, and unique corky growths (wings) on its twigs, making it an attractive shade tree.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions "spiky balls" that fall from the tree. These could pose a physical hazard to pets, especially paws and mouths.
Considerations for Children
- The text mentions "spiky balls" that fall from the tree. These could pose a physical hazard, especially for small children.
Quirky Facts
- The common name "sweetgum" refers to an aromatic balsam or gum that exudes from the tree and has a sweet taste.
- The corky growths on the twigs are called "wings."
- "Sweetgum balls" is a common name for the tree's fruit.
Common Names
- American sweetgum
- Sweetgum
- Sweet gum
- Sweet-gum hazel pine
- American-storax
- Bilsted
- Red-gum
- Satin-walnut
- Redgum
- Sapgum
- Starleaf-gum
- Star-leaved gum
- Alligator tree
- White gum
- Liquidambar
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
- Family: Hamamelidaceae (Witch Hazel family)
- Note: One source says it belongs to the family Altingiaceae. The relationship between these families may be something to research further.
- Synonyms: The text refers to Liquidambar simply as "sweetgum" and lists other common names that function as synonyms in certain contexts.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the lower two-thirds of the Eastern United States, parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador.
- Specifically mentioned as native throughout Kentucky (except the Bluegrass region) and the southeastern United States.
- Grows in moist flat areas, often in association with pin oak or sycamore.
- Cold hardy to zone 5, extending from Southwestern Connecticut to Florida and into the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala.
Ecological Role
- Good choice as a windbreak tree due to its fast growth and tolerance of a wide variety of sites.
- Can become aggressive in moist, sandy soils.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Deciduous tree.
- Grows to a height of 60-75 feet and a spread of 40-50 feet at maturity.
- Leaves are star-shaped with five pointy lobes and a long stalk, approximately six inches long when fully grown.
- Young trees have a conical shape, developing a more oval or rounded canopy with age.
- Fruits are brown, gum-ball-shaped, and sometimes described as "spiky balls" or "prickly seed pods." They are technically capsular heads.
- Wide sapwood is whitish to light pink or tan, sometimes referred to as "sapgum" or "sweetgum." Heartwood is gray to reddish.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Used as a food and habitat source for wildlife.
Further Information
- The text mentions the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as a source of help and information on Liquidambar styraciflua.