50 AMERICAN SWEETGUM Liquidambar Styraciflua Storax Alligator Sweet Gum Tree Seeds Great Fall Color! Red Yellow Orange Purple

Description:
Name: American Sweetgum
Other common names include Sweet Gum, American Storax, Hazel Pine, Bilsted, Red Gum, White Gum, Satin Walnut, Star-Leaved Gum, Alligatorwood, and Alligator Tree.
Scientific name: Liquidambar Styraciflua
The American Sweetgum showcases greenish-yellow flowers and distinctive seed pods known as ‘gumballs’. These spiky fruits start out green and mature to a deep brown, remaining on the tree throughout winter, adding to its decorative appeal. The leaves, star-shaped and glossy, display a vibrant spectrum of fall colors including yellow, orange, red, and purple.

Planting information:
– Plant seeds in fall or cold stratify indoors weeks before the last frost, then transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
– Bloom time is April to May.
– Ideal for hardiness zones 5 through 9.
– Mature trees reach heights of 60 to 80 feet, occasionally up to 120 feet, with spacing of 40 to 60 feet between each plant.
– These trees thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer average to moist soil conditions. They adapt well to moist clay soils with poor drainage and have moderate salt tolerance.

The wood of the American Sweetgum is valued for its light color and fine grain, making it suitable for a wide range of products including furniture and flooring. Historically, the fragrant resin from the bark was used medicinally, in chewing gum, as a flavoring, and in perfumes and incense.

American Sweetgum trees are a long-living species, with potential lifespans of up to 400 years, making them not only a beautiful addition to landscapes but also a lasting legacy. These trees provide year-round interest and are favored for their colorful foliage and unique seed pods that contribute to their decorative charm.