Whether in parks, public spaces, avenues, streets or elsewhere - the American sweetgum tree needs a sunny location. With the help of the power of the sun, it develops its characteristic autumn colors. But what other characteristics does it have?
What are the characteristics of the American sweetgum tree?
American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) belongs to the witch hazel family and comes from North America. It reaches heights of 10 to 40 m and is characterized by lobed foliage, greenish-yellow flowers in May and woody capsule fruits. Its beautiful autumn color is striking.
The spice is in brevity – profile
- Latin name: Liquidambar styraciflua
- Plant family: Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel family)
- Origin: North America
- Growth height: 10 to 40 m
- Foliage: simple, lobed, alternate
- Flowering time: May
- Flowers: greenish-yellow, unisexual
- Type of fruit: capsule fruits
- Frost hardness: -24 °C
- Location: sunny to partially shaded
- Special features: requires warmth, importance in forestry and industry, striking autumn colors
The price-intensive North American
The American sweetgum tree can be found in both eastern and western North America. It was introduced to Europe in the 17th century. In this country it proves to need warmth and is sensitive to frost in its youth. In terms of price, it can be viewed as cost-intensive.
An eye for detail: Its external characteristics
The American sweetgum tree spreads its heart roots extensively in the ground. A continuous trunk, upright branches and horizontal to overhanging branches emerge from it above the ground. The bark is gray and has deep furrows. This means that the American sweetgum tree often appears older than it is.
Overall, it reaches a growth width of 6 to 8 m. In its homeland, it can reach a height of up to 40 m. In this country it rarely grows higher than 20 m. Its growth pattern is narrow and becomes wider as it gets older.
Foliage, flowers and fruits
Its long-stemmed leaves grow up to 20 cm long and smell pleasantly sweet when rubbed between your fingers - just like the resin that was previously used to make chewing gum.
The flowers appear in May. The tree is monoecious and has male and female flowers. The spherical capsule fruits develop from the flowers in late summer to autumn. They are woody and average 2 to 3 cm in size.
Tip
If you don't look closely, you can quickly confuse the American sweetgum tree with the plane tree. Both are very similar in terms of their growth, leaves and fruits. However, the plane tree has colorful and rather smooth bark.
