Print Northern Pineywoods Species Fact Sheet Set - The State of ...

SweetgumLiquidambar styracifluaAPPEARANCEHABITATHeight: 80 to120 feet (24 to 36 m)Distinguishing Characteristics• Star-shaped leaf with 5 to 7 lobes• Dark green in spring and summer• Brilliant gold and orange in autumn• Thick, gray-brown, deeply furrowed bark• Conical shape in young trees and oval shape in mature treesLIFE HISTORYRange: Texas east to Florida and north toNew YorkGrowth habit: Early growth is very rapid, but the treeoften falls behind other species aftermaturity.Flowers: March through May; very small greenblossomsFruit: Fruit are shaped like horny globes.At least 25 species of birds, varioussquirrels and chipmunks eat the fruit.Seeds: Trees begin to produce seeds after 20 or30 years and continue to bear seedsuntil about 150 years old. Seed balls,under the best conditions, may hold upto 56 seeds. Sweetgum stumps androots sprout easily, especially after thestem is killed, cut or heavily damaged.Sweetgum are found in bottomland hardwood and riparian(streamside) areas. Although it prefers moist soil, it is extremelyadaptable and will grow in dryer areas.SWEETGUM AND THEENVIRONMENTThe genus, Liquidambar, can be found here and there all overthe Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 20 species ofsweetgum identified. A Liquidambar fossil found in Greenlandis more than 55 million years old. Sweetgum often grow inmixed stands with maple, box elder, and pine trees. Becausesweetgum is a fast growing, fairly disease resistant species, itadapts well to areas that have been disturbed and is sometimesused in reforestation projects.SWEETGUM AND PEOPLENative Americans used to chew the hardened resin from thebark of sweetgum trees obtained by peeling the bark andscraping off the resin-like solid. This gum was used medicinallyas well as for chewing gum. They also made various teas andmedicines to treat dysentery and diarrhea from bark and rootsof sweetgum. It is reported to be excellent for healing wounds.The wood of the sweetgum is second only to oak in being usedfor furniture, wooden boxes, musical instruments, flooring, andcomposite products. It has been cultivated in North Americasince the 1680s.PWD LF D0200-848W (8/02) NOTICE: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discriminationon the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex (in educational programs). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program, activity, or facility, or if youdesire further information, please call or write: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Civil Rights Programs - External Programs, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Webb 300, Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 358-1724.