Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua L.

Description

Sweetgum, or redgum, is a deciduous tree in the sweetgum family (Altingiaceae).   It can reach heights of 50 to 80 feet (maximum 150 feet), and may have a deep or shallow rotted depending upon the drainage¹.   Leaves are alternate on the stem and has a distinctive 5-pointed star shaped leaf with serrated margins and palmate venation and are 4 to 7 inches across⁷ .  In the fall the leaves turn crimson, red, orange or yellow in the fall ⁷ .  Corky ridges may form distinctive wings on either side of the stem.   Its produces male and female flowers on the same tree (monecious).  It is wind pollinated.  The female flowers are in heads that produce a round, prickly ball (gumballs) when mature¹.    It is considered to be shade intolerant¹. 

 

 

 

Leaves and fruit of sweetgum.  @ N. Kurzenko, 2015. CalPhoto³

Fruit of sweetgum.  @ K. Morse, 2016. CalPhoto⁶

Distribution

Sweetgum ranges from Connecticut to Florida and west to Texas and Arkansas and south into Mexico and Central America ⁷ .  It is predominately a bottomland species, but can attain high frequency in the Piedmont of North Carolina and Georgia.  In Maryland it is largely restricted to the coastal plain².   Sweetgum is planted worldwide as a street tree.

Native distribution of sweetgum.  Wikimedia 8

Wildlife Importance

It is the host plant for luna moth larvae.  Numerous songbirds consume the seeds, in particular the American goldfinch⁴. 

Economic Importance

Sweetgum is commercially one of the most important hardwood species of the Southeast².   Its wood is used for furniture, cabinets, interior trim, and plywood².  

Threats

Sweetgum is largely resistant to damage, but beavers will girdle the trees and fire may also damage them².  

Interesting Facts

• The resinous gum produced from the bark was used to make chewing gum⁴ .  
• Sweetgum was previously placed in the witch-hazel family (Hamamelidaceae).
• The Maryland champion sweetgum is in Upper Marlboro with a height of 102 ft and circumference of 209 inches (= 5.5 ft diameter) as measured in 2019⁵.

References

1. USDA-NRCS Plant Fact Sheet:  Sweetgum
2. USDA-Forest Service  Silvics Vol. 2  Hardwoods:   Liquidambar styraciflua
3. CalPhotos:  Liquidambar styraciflua leaves
4. North Carolina State Extension:  Liquidambar sturaciflua
5. Maryland State Champion Trees
6. CalPhotos–Liquidambar styraciflua
7. Missouri Botanical Garden:  Liquidambar styraciflua
8. Maryland Biodiversity Project:  Sweet gum

Contributed by J. Hull

Towson University Glen Arboretum