In addition to the leaves, which cause a stir with their striking autumn colors, it is the unusual fruits that attract attention. What should you know about them if you own the sweetgum tree?
What do the fruits of the sweetgum tree look like and when do they ripen?
The fruits of the sweetgum tree ripen in autumn, are spherical, 2-3 cm large and consist of several woody, spiny capsules. They hang from long green stems in grape-like bunches, are initially green and later turn brown.
When do the fruits ripen?
The fruit of the sweetgum tree ripens in autumn. You can recognize ripeness when the fruits open or have opened. There are two flaps that open and seeds fall out of them.
Waiting for 20 years
But be careful: not every sweetgum tree bears fruit. It is only when the sweetgum tree is around 20 years old that it blooms for the first time - it varies from variety to variety. That means you have to wait about 20 years until the first fruits appear.
External characteristics of fruits
This is what the fruits of the sweetgum tree look like:
- spherical
- 2 to 3 cm tall
- consist of numerous woody capsules that are connected (up to 40 capsules per fruit)
- hanging on long green stems
- Gathered in bunches (similar to grapes)
- first green, later brown colored
- studded with spikes
- reminiscent of morning stars
Sterile and fertile seeds
In autumn the seeds fall out and lie on the ground. The majority of seeds are sterile, meaning they cannot germinate. They are small and angular. The few fertile seeds are larger, elliptical in shape, dark brown in color and have membranous wings. This means they are carried away with the help of the wind.
The flowers – inconspicuous
The flowers of the sweetgum tree are much more inconspicuous than the fruits. A main reason will be that they appear to coincide with the fresh leaves. Their color, like that of the leaves, is a lush green.
The flowering period usually begins in May (less often in April). The flowers are unisexual. That means there are male and female flowers. The male inflorescences are upright. They are reminiscent of the closed inflorescences of chestnuts. The ears are between 5 and 7 cm long. The female inflorescences hang down and are composed of balls.
Tip
The fruits often remain on the sweetgum tree all winter long. They therefore represent a small but fine decoration.
