Liquidambar styraciflua

• BOTANICAL NAME: Liquidambar styraciflua
• PRONUNCIATION: li-kwid am-BAR sty-RAS-i-FLU-a
• COMMON NAME: American Sweetgum
• FAMILY: Hamamelidaceae
• NATIVITY: Mid-south range, most common in low rich woodlands.
• GROWTH HABIT: 60 to 75' (100')
• HARDINESS: Zone 5 - 9.
• CULTURE: Full sun and moist, low, rich woodlands.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Successional, Seral
• FACULTATIVE STATUS:  Facultative
• LANDSCAPE USE: Found in lawns, parks, and streets and is coveted for its striking foliage and fall color.
• FOLIAGE: - stem color Star shaped leaves, glossy deep green in the summer, changing to dark purple-red in the fall.
• BUDS: Terminal, imbricate.  Reddish green-brown and sometimes fragrant when crushed.
• BARK: Grayish brown, deeply furrowed into narrow, somewhat rounded ridges.  Gives the tree a spiky appearance.
• FLOWER: Early spring, small, non showy.
• FRUIT: Syncarp of dehiscent capsules.  “Monkey balls” in the form of spiky round balls.
• PESTS: None Serious