Sweet Gum

Sweet Gum

Liquidambar styraciflua - #28

This tree can grow up to 150 feet tall. The wood has been used for many purposes and is especially valuable because it can be stained to imitate more expensive woods, such as mahogany and black walnut.

The star-shaped, aromatic leaves typically turn deep red in fall, but vary from pale yellow to orange and bronze. The twigs often sport corky ridges, and its common name refers to the resinous juice exuded from injured bark. The spiny, round fruits that hang from short stems look like Christmas ornaments and remain on the tree through the winter.

leaf

Sweet Gum

Leaf

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

 

leaf
Fruit

Sweet Gum

Fruit

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

Fruit
Fruit

Sweet Gum

Fruit

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

Fruit
Winter Bud/Twig

Sweet Gum

Winter Bud/Twig

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

Winter Bud/Twig
Bark

Sweet Gum

Bark

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

Bark
Fall

Sweet Gum

Fall

dendro.cnre.vt.edu

Fall
Summer

Sweet Gum

Summer

missouribotanicalgarden.org

Summer
map

Sweet Gum

Map

plants.usda.gov

map