American sweetgum, sweetgum - Hamamelidaceae Liquidambar styraciflua

Taxonomy

Cladeangiosperm
FamilyHamamelidaceae
GenusLiquidambar
Speciesstyraciflua
Common NameAmerican sweetgum, sweetgum
iTree CodeLIST2

Plant Form

FormTree: large, pyramidal crown
Height100 feet
Spread60 feet
DeciduousYes

Identification Description

Foliagegreen, star-shaped with 5-7 pointed lobes Leaf Type  Information Icon Simple
Barkgray/brown, smooth developing deep furrows with rounded ridges
Budgreen to red/purple, plump coming to a point with overlapping scales (imbricate) Bud Arrangement Information Icon Alternate
Twigmoderately stout, red to yellow/brown, often with corky-wings, aromatic
Flowerfemale: rounded, 2-beaked; male: upright, panicle; male and female on same tree (monoecious)
Fruitglobe-shaped, composite of capsules, opening (dehiscent) into beak-like structure; hanging on 2-3" stem
Fall Colorred, purple, yellow

Site Characteristics

USDA Zones   info for zones pH LevelsSalt Tolerance
Min5a Min4.5 SoilIntolerant
Max9b Max7.0 SprayIntolerant

Shade ToleranceDrought ToleranceAllelopathy
Intolerant Low No

Species Status

Nebraska Native
U.S. Native Yes Check
Region of OriginUnited States, Mexico
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