baynelibrary@einetwork.net. "Liquidambar Styraciflua 'Rotundiloba. The leaves flutter easily in the slightest of breezes and form a rounded canopy. Mo, Th, Fr, Sa: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Grows in a pyramidal shape, becoming more oval or rounded with age. Maples as a whole are prized by the furniture industry; sugar maple trees provide the birdseye, curly and fiddleback woods valued for fine cabinetmaking. 12 April 2007. 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." Flower and fruit: Flowers are small and insignificant. Known as one of the largest caterpillars in North America it can grow to the size of a hotdog. on Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. myimages[4]="../../../images/top-banner/ez50-banner.jpg" The first and foremost way to tell is that maples are opposite leafed trees, and sweetgummery are alternate . 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. Maple varieties are far more territorial. There are some leaves that should never be composted and never used around plants. Mature trees often have corky bark that protrudes from the smaller branches and twigs giving them a winged appearance. Gum Tree Species: List of Different Types of Gum Trees. Sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves (ha!). In some cases, this can slow the process of decomposition by twelve to eighteen months. 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). The sap, known as storax, has been used for centuries to treat common ailments such as skin problems, coughs, and ulcers. Fall Leaves. Categories Blog, Compost, Fall Garden And Landscape, Lawn and Landscape Care, How To Get Your Rose Bushes Ready For Winter Fall Rose Bush Care. American Sweetgum. One of the most attractive native trees around. The resin rapidly seals over bark wounds and dries to form a protective layer. Especially when you consider they are completely free for the taking. The base of the leaf is slightly asymmetrical. The deciduous leaves are maplelike in outline, with five pointed lobes and lightly toothed margins. 1. Vector illustration of five colorful autumn leaves: Pin Oak, Japanese Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Laceleaf Japanese Maple and American Sweetgum (Redgum). Features glossy green star-shaped leaves throughout the summer Examine the leaf. Although all of these varieties have thinner membranes that break down quickly, they all benefit from being shredded before adding to the compost pile. Its weak wood is prone to breaking during severe weather, and the female trees also drop messy seeds. This "trimmed" top helps distinguish the leaves from those of maples and sycamores. This toxin can make quick work of vegetable garden plants as well as many flowering annuals and perennials. Want more information on trees and gardening? Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is often mistaken for a maple. Vector illustration. Once the female flower has been wind pollinated, it forms a green spiky cluster which is an aggregate of fruit. Monday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. } Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . What are the differences between maple trees and sweetgums? Have you wondered why a tree would produce sticky or gummy resin? Sweet gum tree leaves have five to seven pointed lobes, and their shape will remind you of a star. In some cases, it is because the leaves fall more on the acidic side and can upset the final PH makeup of a compost pile. Other variations include maple, birch, hickory, oak, poplar and willow. The tree is located in Alley Pond Park in Queens and is visible from Interstate 495. In fact, there are areas close to my neighborhood where the sidewalks are currently closed as the city goes through its endless process of removing broken concrete, cutting roots, leveling and re-laying concrete. They range in color from green to yellow to deep red. In fact, they are among the fastest of all leaves to completely incorporate into a compost pile. //specify corresponding links below Liquidambars are well known for developing a lot of surface roots. Once it has found a suitable location, it burrows into the soil to pupate through the Winter. These leaves are small, and will easily . Sweetgum wood is used to make veneer, plywood, cabinets and furniture. imagelinks[6]="http://www.ezboardwalk.com/" But RynSmith is right. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but hopefully you see where Im going here. Chlorosis can show an a few leaves, an individual branch, half of the crown, or the entire tree. The cool thing about finding a tree with opposite leaf arrangement is there arent a ton of tree species that have it. They are typically grown as ornamental trees, and sycamore wood is used to make furniture, boxes, and crates. Identify the American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as the liquid amber tree, by looking for its glossy, star-shaped leaves that turn yellow, orange, purple or red in the fall. Sweetgum is native throughout Kentucky, except the Bluegrass. Chang's sweetgum leaves look like maple tree leaves and measure between 3" and 6" (7.5 - 15 cm) across. It is the differences between these two tree varieties, however, that will help you to identify them in nature and make a final choice for your yard. 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. Maples are one of the few trees that have OPPOSITE leaf arrangement. on Sawmills and Milling, Started by texbob The ultimate difference between sweetgum and maple trees is planted in the minds of children at first contact. I looked at dozens of descriptions, pictures and measurements before learning that Sweetgum has a distinct smell. 100's, probably thousands of them all shapes and sizes it seems. Moreover, maple leaves and twigs are . Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark. Luo, Zidong, et al. No; with over 100 species of maple, there's a huge range in growth rates from very slow to quite fast. They are also, of course, used for their syrup, especially in North America where the maple leaf appears on the Canadian flag. Maples constitute one of the most important groups of ornamentals for planting in lawns, along streets, and in parks. For a while I thought some of the saplings growing beneath them were either Red or Silver/White Maple, only to discover that they were Sweetgum. The sweetgum tree produces hard seeds that have spikes. You can see that especially well in the picture above. It has unique red, yellow, and white springtime leaves that are distinct from other trees. Red Flowering Gum Tree, named for its scarlet red . Female sweetgum flowers have a rounded head and droop on a curved stalk. Like maple leaves, they also have low levels of lignin. A single family member has a consistency in leaf shape that a group of relatives does not. Her work focuses on wildlife, water, and general environmental education. Slender, shiny, usually reddish in color; terminal buds 1 / 8 - 1 / 4 inch long, blunt, red; odorless if bark bruised or scraped. They are usually about inch long and appear in the spring. The brownish-grey bark is deeply furrowed with narrow scaly ridges. Sweet-gum (1645-23*1) is in the . sweet gum: [noun] a North American tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) of the witch-hazel family with palmately lobed glossy green leaves, corky twigs, a round spiny brown fruit cluster, and hard wood. On the other hand, maple trees produce food for other animals but dont produce much edible material themselves. How does one tell them apart? Wholesale prices on frames. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services for all tree species . function random_imglink(){ Sweet gum trees bloom with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the spring that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the fall. Four species are common in the sweetgum genus. The tree itself was first noticed and recorded by the historian Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in 1542. To identify sweet gum trees, look for large star-shaped lobed green leaves that turn spectacular autumn red, yellow, and orange colors. 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. One final note on composting the good leaves. myimages2[3]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" Started by Gumpisan The straight trunk of a sweet gum tree is characterized by gray-brown bark that has narrow, deep ridges. Think I read someplace its almost the only tree in that family"Actually Liquidambar styraciflua - species names are always in lower case ;-)There are three other species in the genus Liquidambar in Asia, and a few other genera in its family. Children have chewed the resinous sap like chewing gum. The major maples have leaves that are divided into three to five lobes. In contrast, maple trees do not provide food for mammals or birds. You could . The leaves are dark green color. I believe the trees in the Sweet Gum Woods are the Liquidambar formosana, or the Chinese sweet gum. How many species of sweetgum tree are there? Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Thank you for all your input. Do sweetgum do the same? Sweet potato leaves. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Maples have samoras, flat wingshaped seeds that many people call "helicopter" seeds, cause of the way they drop thru the air. 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. Grows 60'-70', with a 45' spread. Leaves: The sweetgum typically has large leaves with five pointed lobes and the edges of the leaves are toothed. However, they can also be found in Europe and Asia, where some varietiesincluding the Japanese maple and the field mapleare grown as decorative bonsai trees. Is a sweetgum tree the same as a maple? liquidambars when she moved in. If you want to find out what they are, leave a few to . Those are called samaras and they can be a vibrant scarlet color or brown and they come in pairs. Silver Maple ( Acer saccharinum) A maple with deeply-lobed leaves, named for the silvery color of the backside of its leaves. Most of the Red Maple leaves are a light or a pale green to a whitish. low angle view of maple leaves on tree - sweet gum leaf stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. CREATIVE. Both trees have strong branches that are perfect for building houses and ships. 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum) A shade-tolerant deciduous tree of the northeast, often associated with climax communities on rich, mesic sites. A study of the Chinese sweetgum, Liquidambar formosana, suggests they are also efficient contributors to carbon sink because they retain high photosynthetic activity even as their leaves begin to drop. Our Sweet Gum tree is located on the edge of Bayne Park along North Balph Avenue near the flagpole. I've read that both maples and sweetgums can develop extensive roots through decades. myimages2[2]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" How do I perform a reduction cut on the trunk where branches are thin? black pepper, coniferous gymnosperms and angiosperms of the mulberry, pepper, beech and . By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The upper side of the leaf is a dark green, while the under-side of the leaf is a pale green color. Manna Gum Tree, the bark peels off in strips. Sweet gum leaves turn a mix of red, orange and yellow, often on the same tree. Saturday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Or check out the book lists and resource guides created by our staff, 34 N. Balph Ave., My sister's small townhouse garden in SoCal was populated by 13(!) So far, he's only become a doctor. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along on Facebook here : This Is My Garden. Once commercially popular for soaps, adhesives and pharmaceuticals, today its wood is valuable for fine furniture and interior finishing. The North American sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, is a member of the witch-hazel, or Hamamelieaceae, family. This list includes sycamore, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum trees. Wednesday: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Updated: 00/04/25 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. This leaf is borne on corky-winged limbs, and the fruit is a conspicuous spiked ball that grows in clusters. "differences betwen sweetgun and maple?". . 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). The Kentucky champion tree is in Henderson County and is over 70 feet tall. 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! Examine the leaves of the tree. They also produce delicious sweets that humans enjoy!. The male flower clusters fall to the ground. The major maples have leaves that are divided into three to five lobes. Trees Image Gallery. Its lovely colour enveloping the lake makes Tsing Yi Park one of the most picturesque spots . She's down to 6 now but absolutely nothing else can be planted in this tiny garden due to the extensive and very visible root system of these trees, not even annuals. When left to grow to their heart's content, sweetgum and water gum trees will reach a height of up to 130 feet. Started by livemusic Oils from sweetgum trees have shown potential as a natural pesticide against the pine wood nematodeBursaphelenchus xylophilus, as well as an insecticide for Aedes aegypti, mosquitos known to transmit dengue fever. It is not as hardy as the native species. Mature leaves have a whitish appearing. Other trees with "maple-like" leavesthe sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow-poplarhave leaves that are alternate in arrangement. Sweetgum trees make for good shading foliage because they keep their leaves deep into fall. Thursday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Planted October Glory red maples in creeklets, doing very well. underside. myimages[5]="../../../images/top-banner/cookie-mizer.jpg" NC State Extension. The Liquidambar genus gets its nickname from the sap the trees produce; the brown resin can be hardened to make gum. "The american sweetgum we generally see is "Liquidambar Styraciflua" to scientists. The eucalyptus tree and leaves contain a toxin that can prohibit plant growth as well as prohibiting seeds from germinating. American sweetgum seeds are eaten by eastern goldfinches, purple finches, sparrows, mourning doves, northern bobwhites and wild turkeys. Canyon maple leaves have sharply cut lobes, consistent with its name Acer grandidentatum. It also has a low value, making it an economical choice. Even more, lignin has a significant impact to the nitrogen levels in your finished compost, and the soil you will use your compost in. imagelinks[2]="https://woodmizer.com/us/Sawmill-Blades?utm_source=forestryforum.com&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=sawmillblades&utm_term=2022-05-01&utm_content=800x160" Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. We publish two articles every week, 52 weeks a year. The Forestry Forum is sponsored in part by: Maple trees have shiny dark green leaves that are oval-shaped with uneven edges. Maple leaves resemble sweetgum leaves and each other in their palmate shape. Much like with the black walnut, leave buckeye leaves out of a compost pile. var ry=Math.floor(Math.random()*myimages.length) Spiky gumballs are another identifying feature of sweetgum trees. Sweetgum leaves are palmate, or flat and hand-shaped, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes with serrated edges. Botanical Name: Acer saccharum nigrum If you are looking for a large, long-lived yard tree, both maple and sweetgum are good choices. People also collect the spiny fruit clusters when they are dry and brown, often coating them with spray paint to create a variety of crafts. 4 The star-like leaf has five or seven lobes or points and turns from green in summer to . Tree Removal. That single detail is definitive. Maple Leaves. "Liquidambar Styraciflua L." Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service. Both sweet gum and maple have colorful leaves in spring. Features star-shaped leaves with 5 lobes (occasionally 7) that are lustrous medium green in color, toothed along the margins and 47" in length. Although the leaves have a similar shape to some maple leaves, a quick check of the leaf growth pattern can confirm the tree's identity. The leaves of the Fruitless Sweetgum turn deep purple in the fall (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) and early winter (USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9). ;-)his reply addressed the question about surface roots (in an area with similar growing conditions to the one of the poster) and the comments accurately describe the sweetgums at the wooded perimeter of my yard; ripples of large, exposed roots extending out a long way from the trunk. Interestingly, the various hues are often exhibited on the same tree. Where the bark is not smooth, it is usually rough and flaky, resembling a layer of broken scales. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. Bark is brown to gray, very rough with deep grooves and narrow, slightly scaly ridges. Fall color can be quite dramatic, with a combination of yellows, reds, and . Sycamores are often found in humid continental climates, especially in wetlands and areas near rivers and streams. //-->,