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Sweet Gum - Liquidambar styraciflua
Witch-Hazel Family: Hamamelidaceae
Sweet Gum is native to the eastern United States and as far
south as Guatemala. The four species in this genus have
globose flowers and globose, pendulous fruits which are
aggregates of beaked capsules. The leaves are much like
Maple Leaves, but are alternate. Grows 80-100 feet.
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| Sweet Gum is an important timber tree, second in
production only to oaks among the hardwoods. It is
used in furniture making, cabinetwork, veneer,
plywood, pulpwood, barrels and boxes. In olden days,
a gum was obtained by peeling the bark and scraping
off the resinlike solid. The gum was used for
chewing and as a base for medicines. "Storax", a
fragrant resin used in perfumes, is made from a
close relative, the Oriental Sweetgum. |
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Sweet Gum Fruit Husk
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The
Witch-Hazel Family (Hamamelidaceae)
has about 100 species of trees, often large, and
shrubs in the temperate and subtropical regions.
There are 2 trees and 5 shrubs native to North
America.
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This Sweet Gum was started from seed 25 years ago |
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Sweet Gum is also commonly called
"redgum" and "sapgum". Leaves have a resinous, sweet
odor when crushed.
Habitat: Moist soils of valleys
and slopes; in mixed woodlands. Often a pioneer tree
after clear-cut logging, clearing, and old farm
fields.
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