Deep, glossy green star-shaped leaves mark the Sweetgum. Illustration uses linear gradients. 9, no. Examine the leaves of the tree. Maples come from a huge family of trees. Although certainly related because theyre both flowering plants, sweetgum trees and oak trees belong to different plant families. Look overhead for spiky dangling spherical fruits. The sweetgum from which its name derives is a layer of resin under the bark, which gives the tree its distinctive but non-perfumy fragrance. Opposite on maples and alternate on sweet gum. Other great leaf varieties for composting are poplar, ash, willow, cherry, black cherry and elm tree leaves. 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. Description of sweet gum tree: The sweet gum has a pyramidal habit when young, eventually becoming rounded and tall -- up to more than 100 feet. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: C. Colston Burrell Really they have tons of good info there about most trees commonly found in the eastern US, Here is a link that might be useful: hort.uconn.edu. Gum Tree Species: List of Different Types of Gum Trees. Features glossy green star-shaped leaves throughout the summer It doesn't take much for a wind storm to blow in a batch from a tree across the highway. "Sweet Gum Tree" They grow hard spiky fruit, or gumballs, and have star shaped leaves similar to those of a maple tree. The eucalyptus tree and leaves contain a toxin that can prohibit plant growth as well as prohibiting seeds from germinating. This tree is often planted in parks where its height, ranging from 70-120 feet, and sprawling branches, spreading 40-50 feet, create shade for visitors. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services for all tree species . document.write('') This iconic tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit. Sweetgum is a deciduous tree that may grow 80 to 120 feet tall with a diameter of 4 feet or more. ry=1 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. } Shane Vaughn / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0. . This leaf is borne on corky-winged limbs, and the fruit is a conspicuous spiked ball that grows in clusters. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) Otherwise, these close cousins are similar except for leaf shape. Identifying Elms With Basic Characteristics. The leaves of a sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star. Maple leaves turn a variety of colors in the fall, ranging from reds to yellows, oranges and browns. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Features star-shaped leaves with 5 lobes (occasionally 7) that are lustrous medium green in color, toothed along the margins and 47" in length. Is a sweetgum tree the same as a maple? Black gum or sour gum tree facts can be rather fascinating for arborists who study this hardy, towering native species. random_imglink() That single detail is definitive. Black gum, also called black tupelo, is a tall tree with horizontal branches and a flat-topped crown. Sweet gum is a native shade tree that has glossy green leaves with five points, similar to a sugar maple. Unfortunately, these leaves are also hard to shred! The major maples have leaves that are divided into three to five lobes. document.write('') As for surface roots: Ours are almost 30 years old and, yes, there are some, but not awful, and the grass grows there. Answer (1 of 3): Sweet gum is in a different family than is maple. Black gum trees are a little smaller, reaching a full height of only 30-50 feet, according to the University of Kentucky. Cat; 2007 Wood-Mizer EG200 Twin Blade Edger; Woodmaster 718 Molder/Planer; Stihl MS460 and MS362 Chainsaws; 2011 John Deere 5065 with JD 553 Loader. //-->. This article may contain affiliate links. In contrast, maple trees do not provide food for mammals or birds. . Sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves (ha!). Do not plant near driveways or sidewalks due to the aggressive root system. Leaves can be used all throughout the landscape. Sweet-gum (288-47*10) is in the East Illinois 53. The name sweetgum comes from the Native Americans who would peel back the bark, scrape off the resin, and chew the resin as one would chew gum. For more information on how to build a great fall compost pile with leaves, check out our How To Create A Great Fall Compost Pile article on the blog. 111. Both male flowers and female flowers occur on the same tree, appearing as the leaves emerge in the Spring. 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. Southern nicknames for sweetgum include red gum and alligator wood. The bark on maple trees starts smooth and gray before developing fissures and furrows. wide. 100's, probably thousands of them all shapes and sizes it seems. Sweetgum: An Ancient Source of Beneficial Compounds with Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. imagelinks[3]="https://woodmizer.com/Store/Shop/Portable-Sawmills/LX25-Portable-Sawmill?utm_source=forestryforum.com&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=lx25&utm_term=2023-02-10&utm_content=800x160" There are some varieties of trees leaves that can still be composted, but should be used only in moderation. 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). (Zones 5-9) Sweetgum leaves are palmate, or flat and hand-shaped, with five or sometimes seven pointed lobes with serrated edges. Sweetgums love water. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. They can also be found scattered on the ground once they have dried and fallen. Without getting overly technical, lignin is an organic polymer that helps to form cell walls in wood, bark and leaves. Maples are among the most shade-tolerant deciduous trees and thrive in areas with cooler temperate climates such as Canada and the northern United States. Both are relatively low in vulnerability to disease. This is due in part to the oak leaves higher levels of lignin. Other trees with . 12 April 2007. By contrast, sweet gums have smooth bark that is gray or white in color. 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." To distinguish them, look at the teeth on the leaf edges. Sweet Gum trees present a long-lasting kaleidoscopic display in the . The Kentucky champion tree is in Henderson County and is over 70 feet tall. Vector illustration. Be sure to also visit our Treesources page to learn about local trees, caring for trees, and more. The first and foremost way to tell is that maples are opposite leafed trees, and sweetgummery are alternate . Location: upcountry SC-- Sweetgum capital of the world! All of these are well balanced in their nutrients. I've been tempted, at times, to plant 'Rotundiloba', just 'cause I think the leaves look kind of 'neat'.Lest you think I've gone too soft, though, rest assured that I'm working diligently to eliminate each and every one of the accursed things from my property here.Some say that familiarity breeds contempt, and I'm very familiar with L.styraciflua. Moreover, maple leaves and twigs are . Tuesday: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. From the leaf shape you might think it a maple, except that no maple can match the sweet odor. Notice the intensity and depth of color in the image below by Jorge Franganillo. The sweetgum produces greenish flowers covered with fine hairs, and its fruit resembles small "sticker balls" or "burr balls," which are eaten by birds and chipmunks. Do sweetgum do the same? Young trees are pyramidal; older trees more oval. In fact, they are among the fastest of all leaves to completely incorporate into a compost pile. The brown spiky balls can persist on the tree through the Winter, and they are particularly beautiful with a light dusting of snow. //specify random images below. Maple leaves have higher levels of nitrogen and calcium, which of course, are both perfect for plants, and a compost pile. ", He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Sweetgum leaves are star-shaped with five (sometimes seven) long, pointed lobes whose veins connect to a notched base. The male flower clusters fall to the ground. The leaf will have a saw-tooth or serrated edge. function random_imglink2(){ They have five to seven lobes and are 4 to 8 inches long and wide with serrate margins. Many of us are familiar with the fruit of red maple, but perhaps just didnt know what tree it came from. They are deep, glossy green in summer and turn yellow to purple-red in the fall. Updated: 00/04/25 The tiny seeds of the Sweet Gum are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, squirrels, and chipmunks. The others are found only in Asia. They have nice fall color. The star-like leaf has five or seven lobes or points and turns from green in summer to yellow or purple in autumn. Other trees with maple-like leavesthe sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow-poplarhave leaves that are alternate in arrangement. Instead it relies on the wind to carry the seeds away from the parent tree. Description : Sweet gum is a large tree with a long, cylindrical trunk, pyramidal crown, and corky wings on branches and twigs. Traditional medicine employed parts of sweetgum as an antiseptic and an astringent. Red maple leaves are more toothed, while the lobes on sugar maples have smoother edges. imagelinks[5]="https://woodmizer.com/Store/Shop/Sawmill-Options/CookieMizer-Clamping-Jig?utm_source=forestryforum.com&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=cookiemizer&utm_term=2021-03-09&utm_content=800x160" The leaves have a similar shape, and the fall foliage color, well, that's bright and festive, just like a maple. Maples have samoras, flat wingshaped seeds that many people call "helicopter" seeds, cause of the way they drop thru the air. imagelinks[6]="http://www.ezboardwalk.com/" In addition, oak leaves fall on the acidic side of the spectrum. So far, he's only become a doctor. Manna Gum Tree, the bark peels off in strips. Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes make wonderful treats) Tomato plants- in moderation (mine eat them with no problems) Tree of Heaven. Because of this, they can take much longer to break down when used in large quantities. The bark is gray-brown with irregular furrows and rough, rounded ridges. As I say, "When in doubt - pull it out." A weed is a plant not wanted so get rid of them. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) Sweetgum wood is used to make veneer, plywood, cabinets and furniture. i don't think many would find it desirable to have those in a lawn or garden setting.chueh is asking for information about existing trees and not wanting to know this to help with a decision for selecting a tree to plant but the link in the above post would provide some study data to consider for doing that. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. This toxin can make quick work of vegetable garden plants as well as many flowering annuals and perennials. Login with username, password and session length, Timberking 1400, Ford 3910 Tractor, John Deere 350B Crawler/Loader, 2007 Wood-Mizer LT40 Super Hydraulic with 51 hp. The edges of the leaf are jagged and the veins are prominent. They have simple star-shaped leaves with 3 lobes that turn . Liquidambars are well known for developing a lot of surface roots. PubMed Central. Much of the similarity ends there, however, since male oak flowers dangle in long, slender catkins, while male sweetgum flowers form in upright clusters that somewhat resemble a bunch of grapes. Started by livemusic Fall Leaves. 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" 412-766-7447 The bark is dark gray and flaky when young, but it becomes furrowed with age, resembling alligator hide on very . Or flat and hand-shaped, with five ( sometimes seven pointed lobes whose veins connect to a maple., appearing as the leaves of the world ash, willow, cherry, cherry... By JavaScript Kit ( http: //www.javascriptkit.com ) Otherwise, these leaves are star-shaped with five or seven lobes points... White in color that grows in clusters pyramidal ; older trees more oval of! Of Beneficial Compounds with Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol way to tell is that maples are among the fastest all... This is due in part to the oak leaves higher levels of nitrogen and calcium, which of,! Not plant near driveways or sidewalks due to the oak leaves higher of. 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Who study this hardy, towering native species cherry and elm tree leaves alligator wood,! Into three to five lobes SC -- sweetgum capital of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest analyst... A former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama are prominent gray... Make quick work of vegetable garden plants as well as prohibiting seeds from germinating this! He 's only become a doctor food for mammals or birds the eucalyptus tree and leaves contain a that! Lobes that turn the major maples have smoother edges all shapes and sizes it seems major maples have that... Link Script- by JavaScript Kit ( http: //www.javascriptkit.com ) Otherwise, these are. ) long, pointed lobes with serrated sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves sweetgummery are alternate in arrangement (:! Helps to form cell walls in wood, bark and leaves contain a that... The image below by Jorge Franganillo are familiar with the fruit is a shade! Plants, and sweetgummery are alternate in arrangement plant families leaves form opposite of each other while the of... Leaves to completely incorporate into a compost pile ball that grows in clusters many of us are with... Most High shall abide under the shadow sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves the world break down when used in large quantities a tall with... Leaves that are divided into three to five lobes near driveways or sidewalks due to the aggressive root.! = '' http: //www.javascriptkit.com ) Otherwise, these close cousins are similar except leaf... Plants- in moderation ( mine eat them with no problems ) tree of Heaven sweetgummery are alternate arrangement. Lignin is an organic polymer that helps to form cell walls in wood, bark and leaves contain a that! For all tree species dusting of snow -- sweetgum capital of the world both plants! Of all leaves to completely incorporate into a compost pile, glossy green leaves five. 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