The American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a widespread deciduous tree known for its striking ornamental features. This species is easily recognizable and grows to be a large tree, often reaching heights of 60 to 80 feet in cultivation, with some wild specimens exceeding 100 feet. The Sweetgum is valued for its rapid growth and provides significant shade, making it a prominent feature in parks and residential areas. Its unique appearance, from its foliage to its fruit, offers distinct clues for identification throughout the year.
The Distinctive Star-Shaped Leaves
The foliage of the Sweetgum tree provides one of the most immediate and defining characteristics for identification, featuring a distinctive star-like shape. Each leaf is simple, alternate in arrangement on the stem, and typically measures between 4 and 7 inches wide. The leaf blade is divided into five to seven sharply pointed lobes, giving it a palmate structure that is similar to, but more deeply cut than, some maple leaves.
During the summer months, the leaves are a glossy, deep green color on the top surface, often appearing slightly paler underneath. The edges of the lobes are finely serrated, adding to the detailed texture of the canopy. This vibrant green display transitions into a spectacular array of colors in the autumn.
The fall coloration includes shades of brilliant red, deep purple, orange, and yellow, with a single tree often displaying several hues at once. This long-lasting, showy display of vibrant foliage makes the Sweetgum one of the most recognizable trees in the landscape as the season changes. A crushed leaf also emits a pleasant, aromatic fragrance, which is a secondary, but notable, feature.
Identification by Spiky Fruit
Another unmistakable feature of the Sweetgum is its spherical fruit, commonly referred to as “gumballs.” These fruits develop from the female flowers and are aggregate capsules, meaning they are composed of numerous small, tightly packed compartments. Each sphere is roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and is covered in numerous sharp spikes.
The fruits begin as green orbs in the summer, maturing to a hard, dark brown color by late fall. They are suspended from long, thin stems, often remaining attached to the branches well into winter, which provides a useful identification marker during the colder months. Once they drop, the spiky gumballs litter the ground below the tree.
Each gumball contains numerous small, winged seeds that are dispersed when the fruit dries and opens. The presence of this spiky debris on the ground is a year-round clue to the tree’s identity, confirming a Sweetgum is nearby even when leaves are absent. Small mammals and various bird species utilize these seeds as a food source during the winter.
Bark and Overall Tree Structure
The overall structure of the Sweetgum tree changes significantly as it matures, but its bark maintains distinct characteristics. Young trees exhibit a narrow, pyramidal, or conical crown shape, with a straight, central trunk. As the tree ages, the canopy broadens into a more oval or rounded crown, and the trunk can grow to a diameter of three feet or more.
The bark on a mature Sweetgum is typically a grayish-brown color and becomes deeply furrowed with narrow, somewhat rounded ridges. This textured bark often takes on a rough, alligator-skin appearance, especially on older specimens. A unique identifying feature, particularly on younger branches, is the occasional presence of corky wings or ridges that protrude from the twigs.
The tree is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, thriving in moist, acidic soils found in lowlands and river bottoms. Sweetgums are generally fast-growing and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, making them a common sight in urban and forested areas.