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American Sweetgum
#6912 | Liquidambar styraciflua
Look for: 5- to 7- lobed leaves with oblong triangular, star-shape, fruit resembles brown spikey balls
Origin: Eastern United States, Mexico
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Look for: 5- to 7- lobed leaves with oblong triangular, star-shape, fruit resembles brown spikey balls
Origin: Eastern United States, Mexico
American Sweetgum makes an excellent shade tree (60-70' tall, 45' spead) and is clothed in glossy green, star-shaped leaves during the summer. In October, many trees display excellent red and purple fall foliage. The fruits are spiky, 1 inch diameter balls that look like miniature medieval maces.
The Sweetgum tree is native to the southeastern United States and a member of a genus made up of only six species. The others are found only in Asia. The tree itself was first noticed and recorded by the historian Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in 1542. Once commercially popular for soaps, adhesives and pharmaceuticals, today its wood is valuable for fine furniture and interior finishing.
USDA Zones 5-9
