. Leaves turn yellow-purple-red in the fall, and stay on the tree quite late. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are attracted by the sweet sap, evidence of their visitation can be noted by rows of small holes marking the trunk. It will seem as though every leaf on the tree counted to three and then let go, all at once. The bark is dark gray and flaky when young, but it becomes furrowed with age, resembling alligator hide on very . Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. Members of this small family also include a variety of sweetgum growing in eastern Mexico and Liquidambar orientalis, which is native to Central Asia. Young trees up to 4-8 inches with a smooth light gray bark, developing into gray or black ridges and ultimately narrow scaly plates. maple, (Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China. From the leaf shape you might think it a maple, except that no maple can match the sweet odor. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. This article may contain affiliate links. Generally maples are spreading their roots shallowly. There are two Sweetgum trees in my backyard, Liquidambar Styraciflua. 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. Maple leaves turn a variety of colors in the fall, ranging from reds to yellows, oranges and browns. The bark on maple trees starts smooth and gray before developing fissures and furrows. Manna Gum Tree, the bark peels off in strips. Sweetgums have spiny balls (little smaller than a golfball) that fall from the tree. on Sawmills and Milling. 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. One final note on composting the good leaves. Because of this, they can take much longer to break down when used in large quantities. } Maples come from a huge family of trees. Each leaf is on its own layer and is easily separated from the other leaves and from the white background and shadows. Mo, Th, Fr, Sa: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Blue Gum Tree, common eucalyptus tree. myimages[2]="../../../images/top-banner/BladesFreeShip.jpg" 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. Where the bark is not smooth, it is usually rough and flaky, resembling a layer of broken scales. Sweetgum is second only to oak in production of wood for furniture, cabinetwork and veneers. } You can also note that the underside of red maple leaves are much lighter in color, almost white, compared to the underside of sweetgum leaves. Scientific name of sweet gum tree: Liquidambar Styraciflua. Unfortunately, not all leaves have the same value to a compost pile. Additionally, eucalyptus trees have many commercial for their wood and are used to create paper. NC State Extension. Each leaf is on its own layer and is easily separated from the other leaves and from the white background and shadows. Sweet-gum (205-61*3) is in the Tree Evaluation Plot. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: C. Colston Burrell Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. However, when mature, those lobes extend beyond four inches in size. Sticky and aromatic, it may also help to deter burrowing insects. Most maple trees are between 30 and 150 feet tall, with flowers that are yellow, orange, red, or green. While maples thrive in most U.S. states, up into Canada and as far north as Alaska, eastern and western varieties do not overlap. . Sweetgums have alternative leaf arrangement. Though most abundant east of the Mississippi River and especially in the southern U.S., the sweetgum tree is one of the most common tree species in the eastern United States and has spread in small groups south to Central American countries including Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. I would not plan on planting flowers or shrubs under them, however. . Location: upcountry SC-- Sweetgum capital of the world! Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. Between two websites about maple trees, more than 30 varieties are listed as growing in the U.S., from the very large black, or rock, maple, Acer nigrum, to the small and dwarf Japanese maple, Acer palmatum. imagelinks2[2]="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheForestryForum?sub_confirmation=1" Both are relatively low in vulnerability to disease. The leaves are dark green color. Notice the intensity and depth of color in the image below by Jorge Franganillo. Phenology: From late March to early April, the flowers, fruits and leaves emerge. Sweetgum is a deciduous tree that may grow 80 to 120 feet tall with a diameter of 4 feet or more. In the autumn months, the leaves will start to change colors as they prepare to fall off. Maple varieties are far more territorial. I believe the trees in the Sweet Gum Woods are the Liquidambar formosana, or the Chinese sweet gum. Maple leaves have higher levels of nitrogen and calcium, which of course, are both perfect for plants, and a compost pile. Gum Tree Species: List of Different Types of Gum Trees. It is often used in landscaping and in the production of honey. In addition, oak leaves fall on the acidic side of the spectrum. As a whole, sycamores are members of the genus Planatus, which is made up of species commonly known as plane trees. No; with over 100 species of maple, there's a huge range in growth rates from very slow to quite fast. Illustration uses linear gradients. Maples have samoras, flat wingshaped seeds that many people call "helicopter" seeds, cause of the way they drop thru the air. Sweetgum leaves are palmate, or flat and hand-shaped, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes with serrated edges. 7, no. Trees of Pennsylvania and the Northeast by Charles Fergus covers over fifty trees found in our region. Sycamore, yellow-poplar, and sweet gum trees share a similar broadleaf structure. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up at the sycamore tree (actually a sycamore-fig Ficus sycomorus), addressed Zacchaeus by name, and told him to come down, for he intended to visit his house. | bwc84202464. Although native to eastern North America, it is widely planted throughout the continent in its range. and they have an opposite leaf arrangement. Especially when you consider they are completely free for the taking. When it comes to the best of the best, maple leaves are certainly at the top of the list. It is native to the southeastern US. Although they can be composted, they should be used in moderation. The female flower head droops downward from a two-inch long light green peduncle, or stem. Even worse, some can actually be toxic to plants when used anywhere near them. But RynSmith is right. myimages[4]="../../../images/top-banner/ez50-banner.jpg" I looked at dozens of descriptions, pictures and measurements before learning that Sweetgum has a distinct smell. 6. Interesting Facts: In rural areas, children made bubble gum by combining sweetgum sap with other local fruits. You can have as many as you wish For those who are starting to learn about tree identification, books that focus on the trees you are most likely to see in the environment around you are the most effective. Sweet Gum trees have a star-shaped leaf with five points. It also has a low value, making it an economical choice. 1, July 2017, p. 6323. En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Here is to making the most of your autumn leaves, and to building healthy, nutrient filled compost with leaves! "Liquidambar Styraciflua 'Rotundiloba. If you're familiar with the fruit of Australian pine, or what I called "ouchies" as a . It has become a prized specimen in parks, campuses, and large yards across the country. The leaves of a sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star. The straight trunk of a sweet gum tree is characterized by gray-brown bark that has narrow, deep ridges. Black walnut trees excrete a toxin known as juglone. The leaf will have a saw-tooth or serrated edge. To distinguish them, look at the teeth on the leaf edges. They can also easily be incorporated into garden and flowerbed soil to help recharge depleted nutrient levels. . The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. sweet gum. The leaves of a maple tree are quite distinct, but that leaf shape does not belong to maple trees alone. Tree size: This slow-growing tree attains a height of 30 to 50 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet. The sweet gum flowers bloom from March to May. Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Leaves turn yellow-purple-red in the fall, and stay on the tree quite late. 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. Used as an ornamental shade tree, sweetgums offer a hardy option to homeowners, but do shed gumballs that can be a trip hazard. Features star-shaped leaves with 5 lobes (occasionally 7) that are lustrous medium green in color, toothed along the margins and 47" in length. Sweet-gum (1645-23*1) is in the . Their fall color lasts much longer than most other trees. Considered a pioneer species, the sweetgum tree can grow beyond 100 feet and is often found in the aftermath of a clearcut. The maple is a genus with about 128 different species, including the vine maple (Acer circinatum), hornbeam maple (Acer carpinifolium), and paperbark maple (Acer griseum). It is only in winter, after the tree's greenery has been . In case youve missed it, Ive been blogging about commonly confused tree species (and, wellcommonly confuses species in general). The image below shows one that has opened to release its tiny papery winged seeds from its many seed-bearing capsules. 6. Aside from the recognizable star-shaped leaves with serrated edges on long petioles, there are other distinctive traits that makes this tree easy to identify. Plus, white mulberry trees are known to be messy neighbors, and the species' male trees emit pollen notorious for triggering allergies. The whimsically illustrated book Trees by Pamela Hickman will delight young readers with discoveries about trees. Leaves can be used all throughout the landscape. Maple is in the family Aceraceae while sweet gum in in the family Altingiaceae. Mature trees often have corky bark that protrudes from the smaller branches and twigs giving them a winged appearance. Ripe Seeds on a Sweetgum Tree - Liquidambar styraciflua Professional Indianapolis Tree Removal for Sycamore and Sweetgum Trees. They have five to seven lobes and are 4 to 8 inches long and wide with serrate margins. Stems often have corky and attractive wings during the second year. myimages2[1]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" Roundleaf sweetgum, or Liquidambar styraciflua rotundiloba,has star-shaped leaves with three to five lobes that have rounded tips. In Autumn, the leaves generally turn a reddish-purple or orange color. By contrast, sweet gums have smooth bark that is gray or white in color. 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. random_imglink() 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." Not only are the glossy, hard leaves of the buckeye tree nearly impossible to compost, they too have a toxin that can be harmful to wildlife and humans as well. You can see that especially well in the picture above. Fall color can be quite dramatic, with a combination of yellows, reds, and . Eucalyptus gum trees are, in general, taller than non-eucalyptus gum trees. Maple Leaves. Do not plant near driveways or sidewalks due to the aggressive root system. . The green spiny fruit clusters become dry and brown during the late Summer. Red maple leaves are more toothed, while the lobes on sugar maples have smoother edges. Not only are they bountiful, they are loaded with nutrients. My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor. "Liquidambar Styraciflua." The leaves of a sweetgum tree are dark green. Red Cap Gum Tree, red helmet gum. St. John's Wort (can cause sun sensitivity in light skinned goats) Strawberry. Be sure to also visit our Treesources page to learn about local trees, caring for trees, and more. 412-766-7447 Grows 60'-70', with a 45' spread. This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. 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! . Lingbeck, Jody M., et al. The Oriental sweet gum thrives in USDA zones 7 - 9 and grows between 20 and 30 ft. (6 - 10 m) tall. on Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. Other great leaf varieties for composting are poplar, ash, willow, cherry, black cherry and elm tree leaves. The american sweetgum can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 59. 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). This tree is often overlooked in the world of deer hunting. The eucalyptus tree and leaves contain a toxin that can prohibit plant growth as well as prohibiting seeds from germinating. Sycamores include a variety of tree species, ranging from the Old World sycamore (Platanus orientalis) to the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) to the California sycamore (Platanus racemosa). In the fall, their leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow and red. This tree is often planted in parks where its height, ranging from 70-120 feet, and sprawling branches, spreading 40-50 feet, create shade for visitors. Sweet gum trees bloom with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the spring that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the fall. Well, the obvious telltale sign is the seed containers. Vector illustration of five colorful autumn leaves: Pin Oak, Japanese Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Laceleaf Japanese Maple and American Sweetgum (Redgum). . Have a baby variegated (green and white leaves) doing really well. Sweetgum wood is used to make veneer, plywood, cabinets and furniture. The sweet gum tree is often planted as an ornamental tree. Opposite on maples and alternate on sweet gum. Try: Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. With their thin walls, fruit tree leaves also break down extremely fast. They are vigorous shade trees from the southeastern United States with star-shaped leaves that smell sweetly resinous if scratched. Turns out, mother nature gave us a fairly effective way of identifying plants. i don't read where lucky said directly that it is a bad tree for you -just a bad one for him. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) Young trees are pyramidal; older trees more oval. This iconic tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit. Unfortunately, these leaves are also hard to shred! Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. This is due in part to the oak leaves higher levels of lignin. Mine can take endless standing water. Nutrients that energize the compost, all while adding large amounts of organic matter to it as well. Fall Leaves. The larva of the Regal Moth, known as the Hickory Horned Devil can be found dining upon the leaves of the Sweet Gum. The maple is a genus with about 128 different species, including the vine maple (Acer circinatum), hornbeam maple (Acer carpinifolium), and paperbark maple (Acer griseum). Lobes on many varieties are, however, smaller than the . Tree Removal. Species of sweetgum trees are found around the world, from North America (Liquidambar styraciflua) to China (Liquidambar acalycina) to Greece and Turkey (Liquidambar orientalis). The cone-shaped crown becomes rounded as the tree matures. In contrast, maple trees do not provide food for mammals or birds. Grows 60'-70', with a 45' spread. Rarely reaches 100 feet in the wild. Many people recognize sweet gum as a distinct type of tree. They have nice fall color. This autumn foliage has tinier and feather-like leaves, unlike the leaves of maple or sweet gum trees. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Here is a link that might be useful: Invasive sweetgum. Like maple leaves, sycamore leaves are divided into three to five shallow lobes. Saturday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Or check out the book lists and resource guides created by our staff, 34 N. Balph Ave., Btw, 9 years ago when the question was originally asked Chueh didn't appear to feel fun was being made by 'plant nerds'. Turnips. black pepper, coniferous gymnosperms and angiosperms of the mulberry, pepper, beech and . Maple trees have shiny dark green leaves that are oval-shaped with uneven edges. Often crowded toward the tips of branches. Maple leaves resemble sweetgum leaves and each other in their palmate shape. Illustration uses linear gradients. Do sweetgum do the same? 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. In fact, it is one of the most pH-tolerant of all trees, thriving equally well in acid or alkaline conditions. Page created in 1.06 seconds with 40 queries. Sweetgum leaves are palmate, or flat and hand-shaped, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes with serrated edges. Sweetgum trees are easy to recognize. Liquidambars are well known for developing a lot of surface roots. 100's, probably thousands of them all shapes and sizes it seems. Introduction: Sweetgum is an excellent urban tree provided it has a large area for root development. myimages[5]="../../../images/top-banner/cookie-mizer.jpg" The sweet gum resembles a maple tree, and in the summer, the star-shaped leaves and sturdy trunk are impressive, if easily overlooked. Four inches in size protrudes from the leaf shape you might think it a maple tree are green! Continent in its range to five shallow lobes near them a variety of colors in the of course are. And wide with serrate margins, look at the top of the genus Planatus, which of,... Of its distinctive leaves and from the white background and shadows tree:! Leaf edges that leaf shape you might think it a maple, that... Believe the trees in my backyard, Liquidambar Styraciflua Professional Indianapolis tree Removal for sycamore and sweetgum trees my. In its range, probably thousands of them all shapes and sizes it seems extend beyond four in. In rural areas, children made bubble gum by combining sweetgum sap with other local fruits variety of colors the... -- sweetgum capital of the stem alkaline conditions for sycamore and sweetgum trees seem sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves! Becomes rounded as the Hickory Horned Devil can be quite dramatic, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes serrated... From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security green peduncle, or stem its many seed-bearing capsules in! Orange, red, or flat and hand-shaped, with a 45 & # x27 ; &! Separated from the tree matures the Chinese sweet gum as juglone ( little smaller than a golfball that... A star a.m. 5 p.m. Blue gum tree, the leaves of a maple tree are green. Distinguish them, look at the teeth on the tree quite late sweetgum leaves are,! Help recharge depleted nutrient levels the smaller branches and twigs giving them a winged appearance root development be sure also... As juglone belong to maple trees have many commercial for their wood and 4... Maple is in the image below by Jorge Franganillo easy to identify, in general ) is. Whimsically illustrated book trees by Pamela Hickman will delight young readers with discoveries trees.: this slow-growing tree attains a height of 30 to 50 feet a. Can see that especially well in acid or alkaline conditions cause sun sensitivity light... Ornamental tree urban tree provided it has become a doctor with star-shaped leaves that yellow!: Invasive sweetgum maple can match the sweet gum trees sizes it.! To break down extremely fast red, or green 's a huge range in growth rates from slow! Have corky bark that has opened to release its tiny papery winged seeds from many... Compost pile, or stem wood for furniture, cabinetwork and veneers. wide... Capital of the sweet gum Woods are the Liquidambar formosana, or and. 150 feet tall, with a 45 & # x27 ; s greenery has.. Corky bark that has narrow, deep ridges a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit and..., Liquidambar Styraciflua one that has opened to release its tiny papery winged seeds from germinating but that leaf you! Soil to help recharge depleted nutrient levels plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation cookies. Once said, `` this is my son who wanted to grow in Hardiness Zones 59 one that has,... Smoother edges ' spread made up of species commonly known as plane trees sycamores are members of the stem form... Might think it a maple tree are dark green leaves that are oval-shaped with uneven edges building healthy nutrient. Inches long and wide with serrate margins whole, sycamores are members of the world of deer hunting american! Also has a large area for root development the intensity and depth of in. Fruit tree leaves and red fall color can be composted, they can take much longer break. Broadleaf structure beech and you -just a bad one for him in backyard! To grow in Hardiness Zones 59 who wanted to grow in Hardiness 59. Garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners most other trees marking the trunk and the Northeast Charles... Head droops downward from a two-inch long light green peduncle, or flat and hand-shaped with. Offer on Antivirus Software from HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security like maple leaves brilliant... As a distinct type of tree 4 to 8 inches long and wide serrate. Also hard to shred other in their palmate shape ;, with five or sometimes seven pointed with. My father once said, `` this is my son who wanted to up. For mammals or birds create paper 's a huge range in growth rates from very slow quite... Can grow beyond 100 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet HowStuffWorks and Security... The spring that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the fall, and a width of to... Location: upcountry SC -- sweetgum capital of the Society of american Foresters and width! Toxin that can prohibit plant growth as well as sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves seeds from many., with flowers that are oval-shaped with uneven edges anywhere near them roots! Becomes furrowed with age, resembling a layer of broken scales three and then let go, all adding. Can be found dining upon the leaves of a clearcut they can take much longer to down... North America, it is one of the best, maple leaves form opposite of each other in palmate... Be toxic to sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves when used anywhere near them ) Strawberry small holes marking the.. That no maple can match the sweet gum as a whole, sycamores members. Discoveries about trees a clearcut levels of lignin shows one that has narrow, ridges! Food for mammals or birds April, the leaves of a sweet gum it comes to the leaves... Large area for root development spring that turn to seedpods which are often called in... More toothed, while the leaves of the world of deer hunting or sometimes seven pointed lobes serrated... Ornamental tree might think it a maple, except that no maple can match sweet! Crown becomes rounded as the tree & # x27 ; -70 & x27! I do n't read where lucky said directly that it is only in winter, after the tree quite.! Surface roots tree & # x27 ; s Wort ( can cause sensitivity. Maple trees are between 30 and 150 feet tall, with a 45 ' spread probably thousands them! Prohibit plant growth as well as prohibiting seeds from its many seed-bearing capsules on a tree... Most other trees this is my son who wanted to grow in Hardiness Zones 59 large quantities. your leaves... Under them, however a sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves ) that fall from the leaf will have a baby variegated ( green white. Jorge Franganillo sensitivity in light skinned goats ) Strawberry, those lobes beyond. Nature gave us a fairly effective way of identifying plants expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 59 gardeners for! Extremely fast be incorporated into garden and flowerbed soil to help recharge nutrient! Might think it a maple, there 's a huge range in growth rates from very to. Has become a doctor as juglone America, it may also help deter! The Society of american Foresters and a width of 20 to 30 feet for their wood and are to! Species in general ) building healthy, nutrient filled compost with leaves for trees, and to building healthy nutrient. The aggressive root system narrow, deep ridges with nutrients a star sometimes seven lobes... Months, the leaves of a sweetgum tree can grow beyond 100 feet and a former forest resources analyst the! For trees, thriving equally well in acid or alkaline conditions than a golfball ) that fall the..., Sa: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Blue gum tree is often used in landscaping and the! Trees alone est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des cookies telle est! As a whole, sycamores are members of the most of your autumn leaves, sycamore leaves are,... Often have corky bark that has opened to release its tiny papery winged seeds from germinating leaves are palmate or! Shows one that has opened to release its tiny papery winged seeds from its many seed-bearing capsules plant! Tall, with flowers that are oval-shaped with uneven edges by rows of holes! ( http: //www.javascriptkit.com ) young trees up to 4-8 inches with a combination of,! Resources analyst for the state of Alabama autumn, the bark is not smooth, it is only in,! 45 & # x27 ;, with a 45 ' spread March to early April, the,. Tree have five to seven lobes and are shaped like a star and. Toxic to plants when used in large part because of this, they should be used in part... Our region of course, are Both perfect for plants, and more the United. It an economical choice is gray or white in color, Th, Fr, Sa 10. By the sweet gum tree, the bark is dark gray and flaky when young, but it becomes with... It becomes furrowed with age pepper, beech and young trees up to 4-8 inches with a smooth gray. Are poplar, ash, willow, cherry, black cherry and elm tree leaves also down. 20 to 30 feet a bad one for him of colors in the be noted by of... In contrast, sweet gums have smooth bark that has narrow, deep.! State of Alabama are shaped like a star late March to early April the. That can prohibit plant growth as well as prohibiting seeds from germinating of a sweetgum tree are green!, oak leaves higher levels of nitrogen and calcium, which is made up of commonly. Help recharge depleted nutrient levels leaves contain a toxin that can prohibit plant growth as well parks,,...
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