References: The National Arbor Day Foundation https://www.arborday.org/
Signs Designed by Amanda Parsons, Natural Resources and Recreation Management student.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The Sweetgum tree has star shaped leaves that turn purple, yellow and red in the fall. They are big beautiful trees that are shaped like pyramids and grow very well in the eastern United States. However they can be found as far south as Guatemala. The fruits are very prickly and about an inch around and are great food for birds and squirrels.
The timber from this tree is called Satinwood and is used for making furniture due to its attractive streaks of reddish-brown. The resin from tree, called Storax, is said to have medicinal purposes. It is used in aromatherapy and is said to be a good expectorant.
This tree is a member of the Witch-Hazel family, and is sometimes called Red gum or Sap gum. The Sweetgum tree grows very fast and can grow up to 100 feet tall. Some people would peel it’s bark back, remove the resin, and chew it like chewing gum.
It won’t grow in polluted areas, so keep it clean if you like the Sweetgum tree!
References:
- Cafferty, S. (2007). Trees: East. New York: Collins.
- Mark Catesby: Sweetgum Tree. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.picturingplants.com/2011/06/mark-catesby-sweetgum-tree.html
- Storax. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/storax
- Sweetgum, American Liquidambar styraciflua. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?id=129
- Sweet Gum – Liquidambar styraciflua. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.cirrusimage.com/tree_sweet_gum.htm