Sweetgums
What are they?
Just one species is widely grown in the UK in the genus Liquidambar, the sole genus in the family Altingiaceae and a genus with 15 species, of which all but two occur in China and South-East Asia. The species widely grown in the UK is native to North America, where it is a widespread and common forest species throughout the east and south of the continent. It is a rapid-growing, earlier successional species of open ground but also makes an impressive forest tree in valley bottoms and wet woodland.
Where are they found?
American Sweetgum is often grown as a street tree and amenity ornamental, mostly for its impressive autumn colours.
Identification
This species is relatively easy to identify, though it is easily initially misidentified as a maple. Sweetgums differ from maples most obviously in their buds and leaves, which are arranged alternately along the stems, not in opposite pairs. In mature trees, the spiny fruits are also a good identification feature.
American Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
Introduced from North America as a garden ornamental and amenity tree. Flowers March to May. A large tree, to 40m, but often much less in cultivation. Leaves maple-like, but carried alternately on the branches (not in opposite pairs); rich green, turning shades of deep maroon, orange, bright red and yellow in autumn. Male and female flowers carried separately; male flowers in rounded clusters in an upright spike, the female flowers in rounded clusters at the base of the male spike. Fruits in a spikey, ball-like cluster on pendulous stalks. Young trees often have corky wings on the stems, like those often found on our native elms or Field Maple.
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