Common Name(s): Sweetgum, American Storax, Hazel Pine, Redgum, Satin-Walnut, Star-Leaved Gum or Alligatorwood.
Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua L.
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Species Description
Growth form: Sweetgum is a medium to large tree, typically around 150 feet tall, with leaves that are deciduous, and unisexual flowers in March-May.
Leaves, twigs, and bark: The leaves are alternate, simple and palmately lobed. They are shaped in a star-like appearance, toothed edges, rang from 4 to 6 inches in size and have 5 to 7 lobes. The twigs are light green or brownish and part from the branch angling outwards with shiny scales. The bark is grayish-brown with rough rounded ridges.
Leaves of Sweet Gum #762: Showing alternate leaf arrangement, jagged margins, and elliptical shape. (Photos by Hailey McArdle 10/24/2019)
Flowers: Male flowers are red-ish colored and are presented in a stalk like formation above the branch containing multiple clusters of small flowers. Hanging below branches are females flowers that are in a small ball formation of light green, this is what becomes the fruit referred to as the "multiple" during summer months.
Sweetgum tree female flower (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, (2019)).
Fruits: Ovaries that fuse together forming a fruit called a "multiple" resembling a spike-like ball that is a woody capsule. They appear in September-October and stay on the tree through winter until spring.
Sweetgum fruit called a "multiple" (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, (2019)).
Native range and habitat: Sweetgum is native to Texas and New York, as well as the east Atlantic. Found in both swampy and non-swampy forest areas in depressions such as wet flat woods, dry and wet upland forests and fields. Has successful vegetation distribution. Sweetgum is common to Coastal Plain and Piedmont area.
Distribution of Sweet gum tree across Virginia (VA Botanical Associates, 2019)
Plant Family: Sweetgum belongs to the witch hazel family- Hamamelidaceae. Leaves are alternate, trees and shrubs in this family have two-chambered woody capsules, along with bony seeds. Flowers are either bisexual or unisexual. Other species in this family include witchalder, witch hazel, and sweet gum its self.
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Edible and Medicinal Uses: Fruit of sweet gum's can be useful in helping counter rheumatic pain. Some of the properties in the bark can help with diarrhea, be used as an anti-inflammatory, and treat topical sores.
Wildlife: Eastern grey squirrels used the trees coverage for shelter, along with white-tailed deer, Carolina chickadee, doves, ducks and sometimes beavers. The pods of a sweet gum tree is a essential food source for small animals like bird, chipmunks, and squirrels.
Gardens and Landscaping: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the sweet gum tree has a soil hardiness zones 5 to 9. They are used commonly in landscaping due to their large and full crown that provides shade for streets, gardens, and common areas such as parks. Their leaves change to beautiful colors in the fall seasons, ranging from yellow, purples, reds, greens, etc,
Campus Specimens - Sweet gum trees
State and National Champions: The largest sweetgum tree in the United States which is also a national champion is located in Southampton, VA. The overall trunk circumference is 197.0 inches, with a height of 140.0 feet, and crown spread of 89.0 feet. Total score for all the measurements equals 359.0. This tree also qualifies as the Virginia state champion sweet gum tree.
At Radford University, there are four different sweet gum trees, all located in three different parts of campus. Tree #762 and #5 are located in the center of parking lot F, directly in-front of Muse Hall's A wing. Tree #888 is located at parking lot DD's main entrance off of Tyler Ave. and towards the left side of Washington Hall. Lastly Tree #758 is located between Trinkle dorm Hall and McGuffey next to walk way.
Located on Radford University Campus, sweet gum #762.
Located on Radford University Campus, sweet gum #5.
Located on Radford University Campus, sweet gum #888.
Located on Radford University Campus, sweet gum #758
Tree #762
Trunk circumference: 77.0 inches
Tree height: 128.0 feet
Crown spread: 46.0 feet x 50.2 feet Average = 48.1 feet
Total points: 217.0
Notes: This Sweet gum is the lowest in total points, but is a large and healthy tree.
Tree #5
Trunk circumference: 77.0 inches
Tree height: 141.0 feet
Crown spread: 108.7 feet x 47.0 feet Average crown spread = 77.9 feet
Total points: 237.5
Notes: This Sweet gum was a little smaller than its neighboring tree #762, and had a slightly lower total point value than the other Sweet Gums on campus.
Tree #888
Trunk circumference: 87.0 inches
Tree height: 158.0 feet
Crown spread: 110.0 feet x 109.0 feet Average crown spread = 109.5 feet
Total points:
272.4
Notes: This tree had the highest overall points out of the other Sweet gums on campus
Tree #758
*Notes:There are no measurements for trunk circumference, tree height, crown spread, and total points since this tree was relatively smaller than the three other sweet gums located on campus.