PLANT OF THE MONTH
November, 2009
Plant of the Month Feature
by Gary Foster
Roots Board Member
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweetgum tree
The Sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, is also known as Redgum, Starleaved Gum and Gumtree. It is a tall, majestic tree that is difficult to beat for symmetrical beauty in a landscape setting. The Sweetgum tree is native to North America, found most often in the southern states, it loves to grow in moist soils, near ponds, streams or swamps. It is a rapid growing shade tree known for its excellent fall color with five point star shaped dark green foliage which turns spectacular fall colors, usually a combination of green, yellow, orange, red and purple foliage, sometimes the leaves will turn a solid crimson, burgundy or scarlet color.
The Sweetgum tree does not flower for the first 15 – 20 years of its life. Then the mature tree grows clusters of small flowers appearing in the spring, and by fall, burred balls of fruits have developed, each yielding winged seeds. The seed balls (gumballs) mature in autumn and persist in winter. The thorny gumballs have a shiny appearance. Birds, squirrels and wildlife eat the seeds. The fruit falls to the ground and does not decay well, leaving the lawn lumpy unless the fruit is removed.
When the tree is about 20 years old, it starts bearing flowers between March and May. The trees limbs reach out 20 feet in each direction. The fruit (gumballs) drop year round and everywhere. They are dangerous to step on, as they are prickly and sticky. In California the gumballs are known as “ankle biters or ankle twisters”. The sap from the tree can ruin your cars finish if you plant it to close to your driveway. The landowners of the Sweetgum tree say, “to never plant this tree by your driveway or an area where people walk”. Some will advise to only buy and plant the “non - fruit bearing” version of this beautiful tree. But everyone agrees this is a beautiful and magnificent tree in the fall.
The Sweetgum tree prefers full sun and will become 60 to 120 feet high with a trunk diameter of 2 to 4 feet. It is a beautiful shade tree. The trees bark is grayish brown and has a corky appearance. Its earliest recorded history appeared in Spanish work published in 1651, in which the tree is described as producing fragrant gum resembling liquid amber. The gum resin produced by this tree has no medicinal value, it is more like turpentine. Mixed with tobacco the gum was once used for smoking by Mexican Emperor’s. The Sweetgum tree is second in production only to oaks among the hardwoods. The wood is very compact and fine grained, the heartwood being reddish. Its wood is used for furniture, flooring, veneers and other applications. Pioneers once peeled the bark and scraped the resin-like solid to produce chewing gum.
An American Sweetgum will be featured as part of the Memorial Grove at the World Trade Center Memorial, the installation was set for spring 2009.
Come see the Arboretum’s beautiful Sweetgum tree this fall with its spectacular star shaped leaves in their glorious fall colors, you will be glad you did.
About the author: Gary L. Foster is a Certified Public Accountant. As of August 1, 2009 part owner of the newly merged company Winkel, Parker & Foster CPA PC in Clinton Iowa. Before this August he owned and practiced at Gary L. Foster CPA PC for over 25 years.
He has served the community as a member and/or officer of various boards including, Kiwanis President, United Way Treasurer, YMCA Board President/Treasurer, US Bank Board, Rotary Club Board of Directors & current Second Vice President, ROOTS Consultant Board, Chamber Score Volunteer, Mercy HealthCare Foundation Advisory Counsel and the United Methodist Church finance committee.
In September of 2008 Gary was honored with the International Rotary's Service Above Self Award, he is the first Clinton member to receive this award.