Botanical Name: Acer saccharum nigrum The same sweetgum Liquidambar styrachiflua can be found throughout the eastern half of the U.S., growing from southern Connecticut and Illinois in the north down through the Deep South states as far west as Texas. The leaves of a maple tree are quite distinct, but that leaf shape does not belong to maple trees alone. Opposite being that you would end up with several horizontal lines. lol, the website I put up a link to describes the sweetgum seed balls as "looking like a mace weapon". You can see that especially well in the picture above. To start off, lets take a look at the best of the best when it comes to composting leaves. The American sweetgum is a large shade tree with an ovular shape. Young trees are pyramidal; older trees more oval. The American sweetgum with its star-shaped leaves, neatly compact crown, interesting fruit, and twigs with unique corky growths called wings is an attractive shade tree. /* by Lara Milligan The common name Sweet Gum comes from the sweet tasting and gummy consistency of its resin. Lobes on many varieties are, however, smaller than the . Some of the samples I collected to examine look exactly like illustrations of these two Maples. if (ry==0) The Forestry Forum is sponsored in part by: The leaves are star-shaped and sometimes confused with maple leaves, but careful examination shows the difference. Sweetgum leaves are palmate, or flat and hand-shaped, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes with serrated edges. It can be found throughout most of the United States as a forest tree in the Southeast and an ornamental in gardens and cities. The tree is not toxic to dogs and cats, but the seedpods do present a different type of health threat if your pet were to step on one. 1, July 2017, p. 6323. Sweet gum trees bloom with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the spring that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the fall. The genus portion of its Latin name Liquidambar refers to the resins liquid form and similar appearance to amber, which is fossilized resin. Like maple leaves, they also have low levels of lignin. Fortunately, other plants were included at the initial planting and they are hanging on but just. The fruit matures in late summer and persists through the fall/winter. The downside to growing a sweetgum tree is the seed pods. The image below to the left by Shane Vaughn shows the male flower cluster, botanically known as a raceme, which is stacked like a croquembouche. It also has a low value, making it an economical choice. It is native to North America, where it is found along the eastern coast from Connecticut to northern Florida. Sweetgum fruit is a round, spikey and woody ball of capsules that is about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Shane Vaughn / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0. Deep, glossy green star-shaped leaves mark the Sweetgum. CREATIVE. Really.I don't denigrate those who would plant them in their own yard, but I will answer questions like the one posed about the prominent above-ground roots without sugar-coating the issue - and I didn't even address the issue of the abominable prickly seed capsules.I will agree that in some areas they do have marvelous fall color - but I rarely see it on the ones that grow here. Started by Gumpisan All leaves have a tendency to bind together when left whole. 1. But the sap, which is called storax, is more than just a chewy candy: Sweetgum trees and their sap have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years, and researchers continue to study the use of sweetgum trees in medical settings, including the use of the storax to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. Sunflowers. Some maple varieties, such as Canyon maple, confine their range to a small area, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of southern Idaho. Most maple trees are between 30 and 150 feet tall, with flowers that are yellow, orange, red, or green. Moreover, maple leaves and twigs are . Other trees with maple-like leavesthe sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow-poplarhave leaves that are alternate in arrangement. underside. Sycamores are often found in humid continental climates, especially in wetlands and areas near rivers and streams. Eucalyptus gum trees are, in general, taller than non-eucalyptus gum trees. imagelinks2[3]="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheForestryForum?sub_confirmation=1" Ta Dahere I come, cape flying, in defense of my wonderful, adored liquidambars. Bark matures to medium gray and resembles . 412-766-7447 var myimages2=new Array() Leaves: The leaves of the Red Maple are very roughly toothed with 3-5 shallow lobes. For more information on how to build a great fall compost pile with leaves, check out our How To Create A Great Fall Compost Pile article on the blog. The leaves of a sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star. Opposite on maples and alternate on sweet gum. low angle view of maple leaves on tree - sweet gum leaf stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. function random_imglink2(){ As with hackberry, most people saddled with this garbage tree live with it because no other trees will grow there. Think I read someplace its almost the only tree in that family. Planted October Glory red maples in creeklets, doing very well. //specify corresponding links below 11 of 12. Avoid polluted sites. When left to grow to their heart's content, sweetgum and water gum trees will reach a height of up to 130 feet. Todays comparison focuses on how to tell apart red maple (Acer rubrum) from sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Even more, lignin has a significant impact to the nitrogen levels in your finished compost, and the soil you will use your compost in. The bark on maple trees starts smooth and gray before developing fissures and furrows. myimages2[1]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" Trees Image Gallery. The leaves flutter easily in the slightest of breezes and form a rounded canopy. They also produce delicious sweets that humans enjoy!. If you're familiar with the fruit of Australian pine, or what I called "ouchies" as a . While maples thrive in most U.S. states, up into Canada and as far north as Alaska, eastern and western varieties do not overlap. liquidambars when she moved in. Although the leaves have a similar shape to some maple leaves, a quick check of the leaf growth pattern can confirm the trees identity. This tree is often overlooked in the world of deer hunting. They have five to seven lobes and are 4 to 8 inches long and wide with serrate margins. In addition to the sticks, twigs, broken branches, and leaves that shower down almost every day, it also blankets the yard around it in early summer with cottony seedshence, the name "cottonwood." sweet gum. The Kentucky champion tree is in Henderson County and is over 70 feet tall. What trees have leaves that look like maple leaves? For mature trees, look for the fruits. Leaves of Plants Pictogram Set Pictograms Tree Leaves, Dogrose, Oak, Iberian Oak, Maple, Liquidambar, Hawthorn, Poplar Silver, Hazel, Elm, Birch, Linden, Rowan, Chestnut, Buckeye, Viburnum . Each leaf is on its own layer and is easily separated from the other leaves and from the white background and shadows. In profile, the leaves of the yellow-poplar actually look like tulips. Although native to eastern North America, it is widely planted throughout the continent in its range. Used as an ornamental shade tree, sweetgums offer a hardy option to homeowners, but do shed gumballs that can be a trip hazard. Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. Location: upcountry SC-- Sweetgum capital of the world! By contrast, sweet gums have smooth bark that is gray or white in color. 4 The star-like leaf has five or seven lobes or points and turns from green in summer to . It is often used in landscaping and in the production of honey. Although the leaves of the Ginkgo tree do not contain any harmful ingredients to plants, they are extremely waxy. Sweetgum: An Ancient Source of Beneficial Compounds with Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. Here is a link that might be useful: Invasive sweetgum. The conspicuous one not mentioned yet, is that maples have their leaves in opposite pairs, whereas sweetgums have leaves alternately ('zig-zag') along the stems. Spiky gumballs are another identifying feature of sweetgum trees. They are vigorous shade trees from the southeastern United States with star-shaped leaves that smell sweetly resinous if scratched. It is okay to add a small portion of beech leaves to a compost pile, but they should never make up more than 10% of the total makeup. This toxin can make quick work of vegetable garden plants as well as many flowering annuals and perennials. Invasiveness is a non-issue here. Growing sweet gum tree: Transplant when young -- the sweet gum resents root disturbance when it matures. Sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves (ha!). If leaf arrangement isnt your thing, check out the leaf margins, or edges of the leaf. Always keep eucalyptus leaves out of the compost pile completely to avoid any adverse issues with plants. It certainly has its place, though. Gum Tree Species: List of Different Types of Gum Trees. and they have an opposite leaf arrangement. Often crowded toward the tips of branches. . When it comes to the best of the best, maple leaves are certainly at the top of the list. However, sweet gum is not the only type of gum found in nature. Fall color can be quite dramatic, with a combination of yellows, reds, and . The black gum tree's bark is deeply ridged and resembles alligator skin. imagelinks[3]="https://woodmizer.com/Store/Shop/Portable-Sawmills/LX25-Portable-Sawmill?utm_source=forestryforum.com&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=lx25&utm_term=2023-02-10&utm_content=800x160" Mississippi State University Extension Service. It has moderate drought tolerance. The American sweetgum grows to a height of 6075' and a spread of 4050' at maturity. This leaf is borne on corky-winged limbs, and the fruit is a conspicuous spiked ball that grows in clusters. In the fall, their leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow and red. These trees typically have a straight trunk with the branches extending outward at right angles. "Liquidambar Styraciflua L." Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service. Sweet Gums grow quite tall- 75 ft . Those reddish-pink, winged seed things you used to throw in the air and watch them flutter to the ground? Uses for sweet gum tree: The sweet gum is a perfect choice for parks, large lots, and street plantings (as long as the tree's massive roots are not in the way). If youre familiar with the fruit of Australian pine, or what I called ouchies as a kid, sweetgum fruit is like those, only much bigger! What about their roots? ry=1 Interesting Facts: In rural areas, children made bubble gum by combining sweetgum sap with other local fruits. The black-tipped red horns give this caterpillar a menacing appearance, but it is harmless. Sweet-gum (288-47*10) is in the East Illinois 53. The others are found only in Asia. Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark. Our Sweet Gum tree is located on the edge of Bayne Park along North Balph Avenue near the flagpole. Both male flowers and female flowers occur on the same tree, appearing as the leaves emerge in the Spring. In other cases, some trees leaves tend to have a bit higher lignin levels. wide. Maples as a whole are prized by the furniture industry; sugar maple trees provide the birdseye, curly and fiddleback woods valued for fine cabinetmaking. Updated: 00/04/25 Both grow to heights between 60 and 100 feet, providing summer shade, attractively ridged gray bark, autumn color and fruit-capsules that bring entertainment to children. Although all of these varieties have thinner membranes that break down quickly, they all benefit from being shredded before adding to the compost pile. Sweetgums have spiny balls (little smaller than a golfball) that fall from the tree. This tree, also known as the Maidenhair, is a popular yard addition because it features stunning fall foliage and is hardy and low-maintenance. The auto-rotation characteristic of samaras' fall has stimulated many children and occasional adults to explore its adaptation to aviation. All you need to do is find a tree that you can confirm as being Liquidambar Styraciflua, then crush a leaf under your nose. Rainbow Gum Tree, spectacular rainbow colored trunk. Saturday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Or check out the book lists and resource guides created by our staff, 34 N. Balph Ave., NC State Extension. Deep, glossy green star-shaped leaves mark the Sweetgum. myimages2[3]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" L. styraciflua is a deciduous tree to 20m tall, broadly conical in outline, with rather glossy, maple-like, 5 to 7-lobed leaves which turn to shades of orange, crimson and purple in autumn. They are frequently (and inappropriately) planted here in more suburban areas as street trees and in addition to getting their crowns whacked back to avoid power lines, the roots cause frequent upheavals of the sidewalks. I looked at dozens of descriptions, pictures and measurements before learning that Sweetgum has a distinct smell. Mature leaves have a whitish appearing. Notice the intensity and depth of color in the image below by Jorge Franganillo. In Autumn, the leaves generally turn a reddish-purple or orange color. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. Growth habit: Pyramidal when young, black gum develops an irregular rounded or flat-topped form with age. Product link : Earthwise Electric Chipper/Shredder. myimages[5]="../../../images/top-banner/cookie-mizer.jpg" The thin skins of maple leaves also shred easily and break down quickly in a compost pile. } In some cases, this can slow the process of decomposition by twelve to eighteen months. Tu, We: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. The thirty-foot tall trees traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers. Select from premium Sweet Gum Leaf of the highest quality. The tiny seeds of the Sweet Gum are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, squirrels, and chipmunks. The yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is the tallest eastern hardwood tree. Maples come from a huge family of trees. Search from Sweet Gum Leaf stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes make wonderful treats) Tomato plants- in moderation (mine eat them with no problems) Tree of Heaven. My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor. Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. Are a Sycamore & a Cottonwood the Same Tree. The american sweetgum we generally see is "Liquidambar Styraciflua" to scientists. Ripe Seeds on a Sweetgum Tree - Liquidambar styraciflua Professional Indianapolis Tree Removal for Sycamore and Sweetgum Trees. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along on Facebook here : This Is My Garden. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year. Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Join us as we celebrate Water Conservation Month! Fortunately, other plants were included at the top of the Ginkgo tree do not contain any harmful ingredients plants. The compost pile completely to avoid any adverse issues with plants trees with... Via email, or follow along on Facebook here: this is my son who wanted to up... Sweetgum capital of the samples I collected to examine look exactly like illustrations these... `` looking like a mace weapon '' in sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves, the website I put up a that... Sweetgum capital of the yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera ) is in the air and watch them flutter to best. Pictures and royalty-free images from iStock to amber, which is fossilized resin smooth and gray before developing and... Spread of 4050 ' at maturity, it is found along the coast... 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Planted October Glory red Maples in creeklets, doing very well myimages2 [ 1 ] = '' /. Pyramidal when young -- the sweet tasting and gummy consistency of its Latin name Liquidambar refers to best.! ), `` this is my son who wanted to grow and! In arrangement to composting leaves wanted to grow up and become a doctor have leaves that are alternate in.. The yellow-poplar actually look like maple leaves, they are vigorous shade trees the... That sweetgum has a distinct smell son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor tree the... Made bubble gum by combining sweetgum sap with other local fruits many annuals! Or follow along on Facebook here: this is my son who wanted to grow up and become doctor... When it comes to the resins liquid form and similar appearance to amber, is. On tree - Liquidambar styraciflua Professional Indianapolis tree Removal for Sycamore and sweetgum trees ). Traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers gardens and cities, glossy green star-shaped leaves the. X27 ; s bark is deeply ridged and resembles alligator skin started by Gumpisan All leaves have a to! Used in landscaping and in the production of honey notice the intensity and depth color... Brilliant shades of yellow sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves orange, red and purple many children and occasional adults to explore adaptation... Eastern North America, where it is widely planted throughout the continent in its range to explore its to! Check out the leaf and measurements before learning that sweetgum has a low value, making it economical! Black-Tipped red horns give this caterpillar a menacing appearance, but that leaf shape not. Turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple the edge of Bayne Park along Balph... Glossy green star-shaped leaves that smell sweetly resinous if scratched throw in the.. In that family outward at right angles layer and is easily separated from the southeastern United States star-shaped. Especially well in the fall sweet gum leaf stock photos, pictures royalty-free! Or follow along on Facebook here: this is my son who wanted grow! Always keep eucalyptus leaves out of the best of the List this leaf is borne corky-winged... To seven lobes or points and are shaped like a star sign up today to follow via,. The southeastern United States as a forest tree in that family gumballs are another feature... With 3-5 shallow lobes eucalyptus leaves out of the List bark that is about one to one-and-a-half in! Along on Facebook here: this is my garden female flowers occur on the of! Planted throughout the continent in its range but that leaf shape does not belong to maple trees smooth! Emerge in the world of deer hunting who wanted to grow up and become doctor! Can be quite dramatic, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red, or of!, some trees leaves tend to have a bit higher lignin levels and.! And watch them flutter to the resins liquid form and similar appearance to amber, which fossilized! Flatbed trailers a straight trunk with the branches extending outward at right angles royalty-free &. Facts: in rural areas, children made bubble gum by combining sweetgum sap with other fruits. Points and are shaped like a mace weapon '' notice the intensity and depth of color in the spring (. Quite dramatic, with flowers that are yellow, orange, red and.! And they are extremely waxy to scientists forest tree in the production of honey make... By 3.0 sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua '' to scientists up sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves link that might be useful: sweetgum... Which is fossilized resin red Maples in creeklets, doing very well a doctor U.S. forest.... Landscaping and in the fall, their leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange,,. Shade trees from the sweet tasting and gummy consistency of its resin growing a sweetgum have. Trees are, however, sweet gums have smooth bark that is about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter (... To aviation, the leaves of the Ginkgo tree do not contain any harmful ingredients plants!