Liquidambar styraciflua
Description: The Slender Silhouette Sweetgum is a tall, upright tree that can reach impressive heights of up to 130 feet. It features ascending branches and is known for its intolerance to shade, thriving best in areas with full sun exposure. This tree is a striking addition to the landscape due to its vertical form and stately presence.
Twig/Bark: The bark is a grayish-brown color, deeply furrowed with rounded or flat, shiny ridges, giving it a rugged texture that adds interest throughout the year. The twigs are somewhat stout and range from green to yellowish-brown. They are aromatic when broken and often adorned with corky wings, which are a distinguishing characteristic of the species.
Leaves: The leaves are orbicular in shape, with 3 to 7 triangular lobes that give them a star-like appearance. The upper surface of the leaf is a bright green, while the lower surface is paler in comparison. In autumn, the foliage turns vibrant shades of yellow, dark red, or dark brownish-red to purple, providing a spectacular seasonal display.
Flowers/Fruit: In the spring, the tree produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers. By fall, it develops a globose fruit, which consists of multiple woody capsules. These capsules, light brown to orangish-brown in color, contain 1 to 2 mature winged seeds along with many smaller, shriveled, aborted seeds. The spiky appearance of the fruit adds an interesting texture to the tree, though it can be a notable source of litter when it falls.
Habitat: It thrives in a variety of habitats, including dry to mesic upland forests and woodlands, bottomland and riparian forests, swamps, and along stream banks. It is also commonly found near the margins of ponds and lakes, as well as in old fields, pastures, fencerows, roadsides, and other disturbed habitats. This adaptability makes it a versatile species in the landscape, suited to both natural and urban settings.