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Parks & Recreation

Sweetgum

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Common Name:  Sweet Gum    

Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua   

Location:  Church Place Park

Size: Sapling

Sweet Gum, "Liquidambar styraciflua" location on map

View the entire collection map here.

Native to: Eastern U.S.

This tree typically grows to: 60-80 feet tall and 40-60 feet wide 

This tree prefers these conditions:  Medium soil; full sun.

Special about this tree:  

  • Spectacular fall color, often yellow, peach, orange, burgundy and red all on one tree.
  • Glossy dark green leaves in summer. When crushed, they smell like resin.
  • Female trees produce 1.5-inch round, prickly gum balls, which are no fun to step on, so these trees are best planted away from sidewalks. (Fruitless cultivars are available.)
  • Mainly resistant to deer.

More information

Sweet Gum, "Liquidambar styraciflua" tree
Sweet Gum, "Liquidambar styraciflua" leaves on twig
Sweet Gum, "Liquidambar styraciflua" leaf in relation to quarter
Sweet Gum, "Liquidambar styraciflua" tree

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