Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua

Characteristics

Leaves: alternate arrangement, simple; star shaped with 5 to 7 points, edges are serrated, up to 6 inches in length and  up to 6 inches in width.  Leaves turn various shades during the fall, varying from red to yellow to purple.

Flowers: Both pistillate & staminate flowers are found together forming clusters.  Both open when leaves appear.

Fruit: forms a dry, stickery ball around one inch in size, which contains numerous seeds that usually do not germinate.

Twig: strong with corky wings along the edges; leaf scars are alternate, half-moon shaped, somewhat elevated  containing 3 bundle traces.

Bark: Normally dark gray in color with divided plated ridges.

Buds: glossy, with a pointed tip, large, and occasionally sticky.

Form: grows to 100ft. in height, with a trunk diameter sometimes larger than 3 feet; crown forms a pyramid shape.

Habitat: lowland forests.

Range: As far east as southwestern Connecticut throughout southern Illinois, ranging west as far as eastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas, and central Florida.

Wood description and uses: sturdy, hard; used for construction, furniture, and flooring.  Makes a nice ornamental tree.

Distinguishing Features: star shaped leaves.

Location: Charleston, IL.

Sources Cited:  Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

(c) 2002-2003 Cumberland High School Davida P.  All rights reserved.

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page