Description
American Sweetgum is native throughout the eastern part of the United States. It can be found as far south as Florida to east Texas. North to Pennsylvania to central Michigan, southern Illinois, boot heel of Missouri. Sweetgum is used for fuel, boxes, veneer, woodenware, toys, boats, railroad ties, shingles and interior of houses. It takes a high shine, sometimes called “satin walnut”. The name comes from the sap which some chew for gum. American Sweetgum is a widely used tree for landscape.Grows best in full sun. Tolerates a wide variety of soils and can grow well in poor soils. The roots on this tree are aggressive and the sweet gum often spreads through suckers. Can survive very dry conditions. Can tolerate some salt. Will take over abandon fields. Excellent plant for moist areas. Sweet gum grows 75-150 feet high. The trunk diameter to 3-4′. A noted tree of the south, has dangling seed balls and star shaped leaves. The bark is dull gray brown, furrowed, ridged, scaly on older trees. Younger trunks smooth silvery gray, warty becoming rough with age. Twigs have corky ridges.
Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
Zone: 5-9
Mature Height: 60-100+ ft
Mature Width: 40-75 ft
Fruit: 1 – 1 1/2″ spiny “gumball” fruits that are painful to step on with bare feet
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Bloom Time: NA
Growth Rate: Medium to Fast
Soil: Acidic, moist, well-drained, wet
Drought Tolerance: Tolerates occasional
Flood Tolerance: Tolerates occasional
Sun Requirements: Sun
Fall Color: Great fall colors! Purple, yellow, orange and red
Wildlife Value: Great food resource for mammals and many types of birds. Also provides great cover.
