In 1519, Hernando Cortez described sweetgum trees as "large trees that exude a gum-like liquid amber". The word liquidambar translates to "liquid amber", and refers to the tree's sweet resin. The twigs of Sweetgum trees have a unique corky growth called "wings." The sapwood is white to light pink, and the heartwood is dark purple to reddish brown. Native Americans used bark and root extracts as drugs and wound dressings.

The tree is a tough landscape specimen, but the spiney balls that drop during winter and early spring are anything but pleasant. Selections like 'Ward' and 'Rotundiloba' offer nearly fruitless alternatives.

Bark: The bark of young trees is smooth, grayish-brown. It becomes more ridged and forms scaly plates that are sometimes rounded as the tree matures.

Foliage: The leaves are alternate, simple and distinctively star-shaped with 5 - 7 pointed lobes. They are 4 - 7 1/2 inches long and wide, they have toothed margins and grow alternately along twigs. In the fall, the leaves turn brilliant colors of yellows, reds, and oranges. Leaves remain on tree until late into the fall.

Flowers: Monoecious. Neither male or female flowers are showy. Flowers from late April to May.

Fruit: The fruit is a syncarp of dehiscent capsules. It is long-stemmed, woody and globe-shaped. Approximately 1 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the fruit resembles spiny, golf ball sized brown spheres with "beaks," that open to release winged seeds. Fruits fall from mid November to April and beyond.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	273
Scientific Name:	Liquidambar styraciflua
Mature Height:	60 - 75ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	40 - 75ft
Branching Shape:	Pyramidal branching, becoming more rounded with age.
Growth Rate:	Moderate to fast
Wood Strength:	Hardwood
Cold Hardiness Zone:	5-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	Bleeding necrosis, leaf spot, sweetgum webworm, caterpillars, cottony-cushion scale, sweetgum scale, and walnut scale.
Comments:	Lawn, park or street tree, shade tree, windbreak tree. Needs large area for root development.

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