NAME:
COMMON – Sweetgum
BOTANICAL – Liquidambar styraciflua
FAMILY – Hamamelidaceae

DERIVATION:
Naturalized deciduous trees range from the East Coast to Florida to the Midwest. Introduced 1681.  The name comes from the aromatic gum that is exuded from wounds to the tree.

GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:
Average height of 60’ – 80’ to 40’ width with pyramidal form. Medium to fast growing. Considered “untidy” because of sweet gum balls which are prickly fruits, however, breeders have introduced a variety that doesn’t produce them.

GROWTH LOCATION:
Prefers deep, moist, slightly acid soil with room to spread its roots. A valuable forest tree, it can be found in swamps and on drier uplands.

ATTRIBUTES, VALUE, UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:
Wood has been used as lumber, veneer, plywood, and furniture.  Fall color is dramatic, usually scarlet but varies.  Recommend trying ‘Rotundiloba’ as a fruitless cultivar.

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