Station 20
Botanical Name: Liquidambar styraciflua
Common Name: Sweetgum
Major Deciduous Tree
Native Origin: Southeastern
Height: 60’ - 75’
Spread: 40’-60’
Form: Pyramidal When Young, Oblong to Rounded Crown at Maturity
Flowers: Monoecious, Single Sex Male/Female
Flowers on the Same Tree
Fruit: Syncarp of Dehiscent Capsules
Bark: Grayish-Brown, Deeply Furrowed
Comments: Sweetgum is not native to this region, but occurs east in New Jersey and south to Florida. It is popular as a landscape tree in the northeast due to its neat form and its brilliant fall coloration. The twigs of this tree forms corky wings that are very distinguishable from others. Sweetgum is one of the most widespread trees in the southeastern forest. It is a shade intolerant pioneer species, therefore, it becomes established in non-forested land and grows quickly. Because of these attributes, sweetgum is often found in pure stands.