Sweetgums are large, deciduous trees with imbricate buds. Leaves are alternate, palmately lobed, and star-shaped. Flowers are usually monoecious. Fruit is a 1-inch-diameter (21/2 cm) head of capsules containing one to two winged seeds in each capsule.
Liquidambar styraciflua–American Sweetgum
American Sweetgum–Liquidambar styraciflua
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The sweetgum, also called redgum and liquidambar, is a handsome tree and native locally in southern Ohio. The sweetgum grows naturally from Connecticut to the southern United States. Another population occurs in Guatemala. In the swamps of the coastal plains it reaches heights of 120 feet and a diameter of 4 feet. In Ohio it occurs locally in Gallia, Lawrence, Scioto, Adams, Brown, and Green counties.
The leaves are simple, alternate, and 3—5 inches (71/2—13 cm) long. Leaves are palmately veined with big, star-shaped leaves that are glossy, dark green, and quite handsome. The star-shaped foliage has five points and when crushed, gives off a fragrant odor. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow, pale orange, or deep red. Fall color is outstanding.
The flowers are yellow to green and have two kinds on the same plant. The pollen-bearing flowers are arranged in catkin-like tassels, 2—3 inches (5—71/2 cm) long at the top of the inflorescence. The seed-producing flowers occur in long, stalked heads at the base of the inflorescence. The fruit is a long-stalked, 1-inch diameter, round head made up of many capsules, each containing one or two small, winged seeds. The fruit matures in November and can be a serious litter problem.
Buds and 1-year-old twigs are glossy brown to greenish. Buds are darker than the twigs, sharp, pointed, lustrous brown, and fragrant when crushed. The twigs are stout, angular, smooth, and glabrous. Twigs often have corky, winged projections. On younger trunks, bark is smoother and dark gray. The bark on older trunks is deeply furrowed, grayish-brown, and scaly.
The sweetgum is extensively planted as an ornamental tree. This tree has a symmetrical form, grows rapidly, produces unique leaves, and has few serious problems if locally adapted seed sources are used. ‘Moraine' and ‘Variegata' are cold-hardy selections while some of the California selections (‘Festival', ‘Palo Alto,' and ‘Burgundy') are seriously damaged by temperatures below —10°F. Rotundiloba is reported to be fruitless, but its hardiness is not known. The wood is rather hard, strong, and reddish-brown with white sapwood. It is used for boxes, crates, furniture, and interior finishing.