The Sweetgum Tree is well known for it's ball shaped, thorned seedpod. The leaves of the Sweetgum are, in appearance, similar to a maple but do not grow in pairs on the stem. Named for the thick fragrant gum described by F. Hernandez in 1651, the Sweetgum tree's scientific name is "liquid amber" in latin. Sweetgums are deciduous, and the leaves change to beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows in Autumn. The Sweetgum Tree does very well in dry locations, and especially well in wet areas, such as riverbanks. The Sweetgum Tree is an excellent choice for a shade tree to plant along city streets.The wood of the Sweetgum Tree is use to make millions of chop sticks that are sent to Korea and China by a production plant in Americus Georgia that employees 400 people. The Sweetgum Tree is grown in home landscapes mainly for the spectacular show of colors the leaves make.
