Sweet Gum Trees. All of these are well balanced in their nutrients. In fact, there are areas close to my neighborhood where the sidewalks are currently closed as the city goes through its endless process of removing broken concrete, cutting roots, leveling and re-laying concrete. Other trees with . If you have fruit in-hand, telling them apart is a breeze. Sycamores are often found in humid continental climates, especially in wetlands and areas near rivers and streams. Well, the obvious telltale sign is the seed containers. ;-)his reply addressed the question about surface roots (in an area with similar growing conditions to the one of the poster) and the comments accurately describe the sweetgums at the wooded perimeter of my yard; ripples of large, exposed roots extending out a long way from the trunk. Examining the leaves more closely can help you identify them. if (ry==0) //specify corresponding links below Some maple varieties, such as Canyon maple, confine their range to a small area, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of southern Idaho. There is actually an acronym to help you narrow it down significantly: MAD, which stands for Maple, Ash, Dogwood. The green spiny fruit clusters become dry and brown during the late Summer. Although native to eastern North America, it is widely planted throughout the continent in its range. By contrast, sweet gums have smooth bark that is gray or white in color. Product link : Earthwise Electric Chipper/Shredder. If that wasnt enough, the leaves of black walnut trees contain ingredients that can also prevent seeds from germinating. Maple Leaves. In addition to the American sweegum, Asia is home to L. formosana,L. orientalis (Turkish sweetgum), andL. acalycina. Illustration uses linear gradients. 1, July 2017, p. 6323. 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. :)Sherry, The original title question . Sunflowers. The black gum tree's bark is deeply ridged and resembles alligator skin. Examine the bark. While maples thrive in most U.S. states, up into Canada and as far north as Alaska, eastern and western varieties do not overlap. Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) Index of Species Information. Even worse, some can actually be toxic to plants when used anywhere near them. Uses for sweet gum tree: The sweet gum is a perfect choice for parks, large lots, and street plantings (as long as the tree's massive roots are not in the way). There are some varieties of trees leaves that can still be composted, but should be used only in moderation. "Liquidambar Styraciflua L." Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service. Her work focuses on wildlife, water, and general environmental education. Random Image Link Script- By JavaScript Kit(http://www.javascriptkit.com) Leaf Shape: Slender with a pointed tip. . Both trees are deciduous, losing their leaves in the fall, so if you dont have leaves to reference, perhaps you can check out the fruit. They are wonderful for helping cover and protect plants from the constant freezing and thawing winter can bring. The Kentucky champion tree is in Henderson County and is over 70 feet tall. /* They grow hard spiky fruit, or gumballs, and have star shaped leaves similar to those of a maple tree. Maples have samoras, flat wingshaped seeds that many people call "helicopter" seeds, cause of the way they drop thru the air. Leaves with iron chlorosis will develop a yellow color with a network of dark green veins. Manna Gum Tree, the bark peels off in strips. Unfortunately, not all leaves have the same value to a compost pile. Maple Leaves. Because lignin levels are crucial when it comes to how fast your compost pile will break down. One way to be sure is to check the leaf arrangement on the branches. Grows 60'-70', with a 45' spread. The real difference is that the Red Maple has lighter and smoother bark then the Sugar Maple. The sweetgum tree produces hard seeds that have spikes. It produces small, insignificant green flowers in spring, these may be followed by burr-like fruits. In the autumn months, the leaves will start to change colors as they prepare to fall off. They can also easily be incorporated into garden and flowerbed soil to help recharge depleted nutrient levels. Sweetgum fruit is a round, spikey and woody ball of capsules that is about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. How many species of sweetgum tree are there? Posted: February 20, 2019. Todays comparison focuses on how to tell apart red maple (Acer rubrum) from sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Black walnut trees excrete a toxin known as juglone. Sweet Gum trees present a long-lasting kaleidoscopic display in the Autumn with spectacularly brilliant colors ranging from red to purple to yellow. Introduction: Sweetgum is an excellent urban tree provided it has a large area for root development. The leaves turn red, yellow, pink and purple in the fall before changing back to green in the spring. Autumn is here, and that means there will soon be leaves littering the ground. They are deep, glossy green in summer and turn yellow to purple-red in the fall. Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. It is only in winter, after the tree's greenery has been . Fall Leaves. Sweetgums have alternative leaf arrangement. 36. They have five to seven lobes and are 4 to 8 inches long and wide with serrate margins. Leaves are alternate, simple, star-shaped, with 5 (sometimes 7) lobes, 3-6 inches wide, deeply lobed; margin toothed, tips long-pointed; leaves slightly aromatic when bruised. The leaves of the Fruitless Sweetgum turn deep purple in the fall (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) and early winter (USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9). Most maple trees are between 30 and 150 feet tall, with flowers that are yellow, orange, red, or green. 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. 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. They are frequently (and inappropriately) planted here in more suburban areas as street trees and in addition to getting their crowns whacked back to avoid power lines, the roots cause frequent upheavals of the sidewalks. You can see that especially well in the picture above. St. John's Wort (can cause sun sensitivity in light skinned goats) Strawberry. Want more information on trees and gardening? However, sweet gum is not the only type of gum found in nature. Twigs: Most Red Maple twigs appear to be slender and glossy. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/global/tag/commonly-confused/. if (ry==0) In addition, the bark has a strong scent and is used to make perfumes, essential oils, and medicines. This iconic tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit. Maple samaras are more easily trod on, flat-winged pods each containing a single-seed fruit. It doesn't take much for a wind storm to blow in a batch from a tree across the highway. Sweet potato leaves. Really.I don't denigrate those who would plant them in their own yard, but I will answer questions like the one posed about the prominent above-ground roots without sugar-coating the issue - and I didn't even address the issue of the abominable prickly seed capsules.I will agree that in some areas they do have marvelous fall color - but I rarely see it on the ones that grow here. In addition to the resin being sweet, the green leaves have a delightfully sweet aroma when crushed. random_imglink() 1. The brown spiky balls can persist on the tree through the Winter, and they are particularly beautiful with a light dusting of snow. Pro: The wood has many uses, including flooring, lumber, and paper pulp among other things. Early color changers, they turn bright scarlet or purple in late summer, well . Maple leaves have higher levels of nitrogen and calcium, which of course, are both perfect for plants, and a compost pile. I've read that both maples and sweetgums can develop extensive roots through decades. Instead it relies on the wind to carry the seeds away from the parent tree. They have corky bark and grow slowly and are fantastically beautiful in Autumn. In contrast, maple trees do not provide food for mammals or birds. The upper side of the leaf is a dark green, while the under-side of the leaf is a pale green color. The auto-rotation characteristic of samaras' fall has stimulated many children and occasional adults to explore its adaptation to aviation. As you will see below, one of the common denominators of good leaves versus bad leaves is their lignin level. A single family member has a consistency in leaf shape that a group of relatives does not. The major maples have leaves that are divided into three to five lobes. Not only can the roots of black walnut trees be toxic to a whole slew of annuals and perennials, their leaves can as well. Red Cap Gum Tree, red helmet gum. Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum) A shade-tolerant deciduous tree of the northeast, often associated with climax communities on rich, mesic sites. Sweet-gum (1645-23*1) is in the . They are usually about inch long and appear in the spring. liquidambars when she moved in. Red maple leaves are more toothed, while the lobes on sugar maples have smoother edges. As for surface roots: Ours are almost 30 years old and, yes, there are some, but not awful, and the grass grows there. Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is often mistaken for a maple. But maybe best of all, the leaves of autumn, in all of their abundance, are the perfect addition for building an incredible fall compost pile. all have smaller leaves and winged fruits; American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) has larger leaves with shallow lobes and unique peeling bark. In other cases, some trees leaves tend to have a bit higher lignin levels. Houzz utilise des cookies et d'autres technologies de suivi similaires pour personnaliser mon exprience utilisateur, me proposer du contenu pertinent et amliorer ses produits et services. Thursday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. This "trimmed" top helps distinguish the leaves from those of maples and sycamores. The straight trunk of a sweet gum tree is characterized by gray-brown bark that has narrow, deep ridges. Many of us are familiar with the fruit of red maple, but perhaps just didnt know what tree it came from. Young trees are pyramidal; older trees more oval. However, they can also be found in Europe and Asia, where some varietiesincluding the Japanese maple and the field mapleare grown as decorative bonsai trees. 100's, probably thousands of them all shapes and sizes it seems. I would not plan on planting flowers or shrubs under them, however. The genus name Liquidambar refers to the fact that the tree produces a resinous sap. You'll find this hardwood in a variety of environments, but it thrives in the moist soils of lower lands and poorly-drained areas, and can also be found in mixed woodlands. 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. They also all have lower levels of lignin. The colors can range from bright orange to deep purple. Alice Slusher Replied September 07, 2015, 12:59 PM EDT. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Remember helicopters from when you were a kid? Gum Tree Species: List of Different Types of Gum Trees. Rainbow Gum Tree, spectacular rainbow colored trunk. var ry=Math.floor(Math.random()*myimages.length) For those who are starting to learn about tree identification, books that focus on the trees you are most likely to see in the environment around you are the most effective. On the other hand, maple trees produce food for other animals but dont produce much edible material themselves. Turnips. But the sap, which is called storax, is more than just a chewy candy: Sweetgum trees and their sap have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years, and researchers continue to study the use of sweetgum trees in medical settings, including the use of the storax to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn more about all the Trees of Bayne Park and explore our Interactive Bayne Park Tree Map to see the locations, photographs, and names of over a dozen different species of trees. Mature leaves are 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm.) This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year. It also has a low value, making it an economical choice. The leaf margin of red maples are coarsely toothed to entire (smooth) while the margins of sweetgum are finely toothed. Answer (1 of 3): Sweet gum is in a different family than is maple. Sometimes we call these winged samaras. The others are found only in Asia. 6. There are some leaves that should never be composted and never used around plants. The American sweetgum grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. Sticky and aromatic, it may also help to deter burrowing insects. 6. The genus portion of its Latin name Liquidambar refers to the resins liquid form and similar appearance to amber, which is fossilized resin. The deciduous leaves are maplelike in outline, with five pointed lobes and lightly toothed margins. It is okay to add a small portion of beech leaves to a compost pile, but they should never make up more than 10% of the total makeup. Thanks. 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" It grows in moist flat areas in association with pin oak or sycamore. Look for the star-shaped leaf as foliage grows in the spring, and note the dried seed balls under the tree. Do not plant near driveways or sidewalks due to the aggressive root system. imagelinks2[2]="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheForestryForum?sub_confirmation=1" After examining the very young Sweetgum trees in my own backyard, I feel the need to defend your confusion between the species, especially after all the plant-nerds made fun of your totally valid question. Categories Blog, Compost, Fall Garden And Landscape, Lawn and Landscape Care, How To Get Your Rose Bushes Ready For Winter Fall Rose Bush Care. imagelinks[1]="http://www.ezboardwalk.com/" Although they can be composted, they should be used in moderation. Chalk maple, Acer leucoderma, thrives from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Texas, overlapping with the Florida maple, Acer barbatum. Rarely reaches 100 feet in the wild. Most of the Red Maple leaves are a light or a pale green to a whitish. Both are hardwoods, much prized by furniture makers. Though humans enjoy the sweets produced by sweet gum trees, other creatures dont eat its seeds or leaves. Opposite being that you would end up with several horizontal lines. Sweetgum: An Ancient Source of Beneficial Compounds with Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. Lingbeck, Jody M., et al. Although the leaves have a similar shape to some maple leaves, a quick check of the leaf growth pattern can confirm the trees identity. Needs plenty of space for root development. "The american sweetgum we generally see is "Liquidambar Styraciflua" to scientists. Flower and fruit: Flowers are small and insignificant. Sweetgum fruit is a round, spikey and woody ball of capsules that is about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter. But maple leaves also have another big advantage for compost piles in that they are extremely low in lignin. Fall color can be quite dramatic, with a combination of yellows, reds, and . While some varieties are filled with goodness, other trees leaves can have very little nutritional value. Canyon maple leaves have sharply cut lobes, consistent with its name Acer grandidentatum. Is a sweet gun not an oxymoron? Leaves are alternate, simple, oval-elliptical, and lack teeth. That single detail is definitive. The black-tipped red horns give this caterpillar a menacing appearance, but it is harmless. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. The leaves of a sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. myimages2[2]="../../../images/top-banner/behindtheforum.jpg" In the late Summer it leaves the tree and wanders on the ground. Other trees with "maple-like" leavesthe sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow-poplarhave leaves that are alternate in arrangement. Leaves are alternate, simple, star-shaped, with 5 (sometimes 7) lobes, 3-6 inches wide, deeply lobed; margin toothed, tips long-pointed; leaves slightly aromatic when bruised. on Sawmills and Milling, Started by texbob This list includes sycamore, yellow-poplar, and sweetgum trees. Roundleaf sweetgum, or Liquidambar styraciflua rotundiloba,has star-shaped leaves with three to five lobes that have rounded tips. Notice the intensity and depth of color in the image below by Jorge Franganillo. The bark is gray-brown with irregular furrows and rough, rounded ridges. The fruit of sweetgum looks nothing like the fruit of red maple. Stems often have corky and attractive wings during the second year. Although this tree normally grows on rich, moist soils in the wild, it has proven itself quite adaptable in culture. Moraine sweet-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Moriane'): . She's down to 6 now but absolutely nothing else can be planted in this tiny garden due to the extensive and very visible root system of these trees, not even annuals. It has an attractive, uniform habit . Sweetgum bark, leaves, and seeds contain shikimic acid, which has been studied for its antiviral properties. The fruit of sweetgum looks nothing like the fruit of red maple. Do sweetgum do the same? The American sweetgum is a large shade tree with an ovular shape. Although the leaves of the Ginkgo tree do not contain any harmful ingredients to plants, they are extremely waxy. Other trees with maple-like leavesthe sycamore, sweetgum, and yellow-poplarhave leaves that are alternate in arrangement. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. These trees typically have a straight trunk with the branches extending outward at right angles. Mature leaves have a whitish appearing. Each leaf is on its own layer and is easily separated from the other leaves and from the white background and shadows. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shane Vaughn / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0. myimages[5]="../../../images/top-banner/cookie-mizer.jpg" The outer edges also may scorch and turn brown as the cells die. The seeds are dispersed by the wind, birds, or animals. Also called star-leaved gum, gumtree, and alligator-wood, this moderately-sized deciduous tree is common in the eastern United States, and can be found in small numbers in Mexico and as far south as Nicaragua. Unlike sweetgum fruit, red maple fruit does not persist. Mo, Th, Fr, Sa: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. The fruit matures in late summer and persists through the fall/winter. My sister's small townhouse garden in SoCal was populated by 13(!) Maples as a whole are prized by the furniture industry; sugar maple trees provide the birdseye, curly and fiddleback woods valued for fine cabinetmaking. They can also be found scattered on the ground once they have dried and fallen. The sweet gum tree, also known as American red gum, is a beautiful tree with maple-like leaves that turn spectacular shades of purple, crimson, orange and yellow in autumn. I have several baby sweetgums. The thirty-foot tall trees traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers. maple, (Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China. This leaf shape resembles a star. It is native to the southeastern US. My front yard is a blazing glory thanks to the sweetgums in mine and my neighbors yards5 altogether. The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site in New York generously donated a grove of forty Sweet Gum trees to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to commemorate the lives of the forty passengers and crew members of United Flight 93. This is due in part to the oak leaves higher levels of lignin. Photo: Alvin Huang / Moment / Getty Images. Metal Print of Yellow autumn leaf isolated on a white background. ry=1 Sweetgum is a deciduous tree that may grow 80 to 120 feet tall with a diameter of 4 feet or more. There are two Sweetgum trees in my backyard, Liquidambar Styraciflua. . What are the differences between maple trees and sweetgums? 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). Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. baynelibrary@einetwork.net. Nyssa sylvatica grows to 20-25 metres (66-82 ft) tall, rarely to 35 metres (115 ft), with a trunk diameter of 50-100 centimetres (20-39 in), rarely up to 170 centimetres (67 in). It has brilliantly colored autumn foliage, much like the maple tree, which makes it stand out when trees start putting on their fall fashion show. Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. As lignin decomposes, it actually consumes nitrogen to help the process. Use as a campus or park tree, shade or large lawn tree. They are vigorous shade trees from the southeastern United States with star-shaped leaves that smell sweetly resinous if scratched. Small mammals such as chipmunks, red squirrels and gray squirrels also enjoy the fruits and seeds. 12 April 2007. 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. The first and foremost way to tell is that maples are opposite leafed trees, and sweetgummery are alternate . The tree is particularly choice when it changes color in fall. } Other great leaf varieties for composting are poplar, ash, willow, cherry, black cherry and elm tree leaves. var imagelinks=new Array() Red maple leaves are green on the top and a light greenish white on the underside, and turn brilliant red in autumn. 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. Nyssa sylvatica. Opposite on maples and alternate on sweet gum. The edges of the leaf are jagged and the veins are prominent. As I say, "When in doubt - pull it out." A weed is a plant not wanted so get rid of them. */ Mississippi State University Extension Service. The leaves of a maple tree are quite distinct, but that leaf shape does not belong to maple trees alone. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along on Facebook here : This Is My Garden. Sweetgum trees are found in parts of Asia and in the Americas. and they have an opposite leaf arrangement. Known as one of the largest caterpillars in North America it can grow to the size of a hotdog. The american sweetgum can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 59. and they have an opposite leaf arrangement. } The bark is grayish brown and deeply furrowed. Maple is in the family Aceraceae while sweet gum in in the family Altingiaceae. Here in So. Hopefully, the article about sweet gum leaf vs maple above meets your needs, everyone has a better idea, please leave a comment below, all your suggestions help us create better and better articles for everyone. PubMed Central. Often crowded toward the tips of branches. Black maple leaves have three lobes, while sugar maples have the traditional five lobes. It has moderate drought tolerance. by Lara Milligan The bark is grayish brown and deeply furrowed. The first historical reference to the tree comes from the author and soldier, Don Bernal Diaz del Castillo, who accompanied Cortez in 1519 and was a witness to ceremonies between Cortez and Montezuma, who both partook of a liquid amber extracted from a sweetgum tree. Sweet gum tree is a tall, majestic tree that's difficult to beat for symmetrical beauty in a landscape setting. The Oriental sweet gum thrives in USDA zones 7 - 9 and grows between 20 and 30 ft. (6 - 10 m) tall. It's non-offensive, and distinctive. Liquidambar styraciflua var. Add them in moderation to piles, always being sure to shred them as finely as possible to speed decomposition. A 133-foot yellow-poplar known as the Queens Giant, or the Alley Pond Giant, is believed to be the oldest living thing in New York City. Black gum or sour gum tree facts can be rather fascinating for arborists who study this hardy, towering native species. Our Sweet Gum tree is located on the edge of Bayne Park along North Balph Avenue near the flagpole. Monday: 10 a.m. 5 p.m. The tiny seeds of the Sweet Gum are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, squirrels, and chipmunks. Steve Nix is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. Learn more about mulberry. Unfortunately, these leaves are also hard to shred! A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Like the maple tree, these species have leaves whose ribs or veins radiate out from a single stalk or petiole attachment in a palmate pattern (that is, the lobes resemble a set of fingers). Sweetgums love water. That single detail is definitive. Black maples form a large, rounded crown, making it an exceptional shade tree. You can also rub the leaf in question between your fingers (as long as youre sure its not poison ivy ;-)) and then smell your hands. Always shred leaves before adding to a compost pile. Lara earned her Bachelors and Masters degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida and is a graduate of the Natural Resources Leadership Institute. Red Flowering Gum Tree, named for its scarlet red . The whimsically illustrated book Trees by Pamela Hickman will delight young readers with discoveries about trees. And now, you can go on with your life knowing that you'll always be able to tell the difference between a baby Maple tree and Sweetgum. Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes make wonderful treats) Tomato plants- in moderation (mine eat them with no problems) Tree of Heaven. Where the bark is not smooth, it is usually rough and flaky, resembling a layer of broken scales. Nature is full of variations; theres plenty of beauty without intent to mock us!. The resin rapidly seals over bark wounds and dries to form a protective layer. Sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves (ha!). Maples are one of the few trees that have OPPOSITE leaf arrangement. Is widely planted throughout the continent in its range: sweet gum tree is member. Have an opposite leaf arrangement. gums have smooth bark that has narrow, ridges. Kit ( http: //www.ezboardwalk.com/ '' although they can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 59. and are! They prepare to fall off trunk with the fruit of sweetgum looks nothing like the fruit in... Leaves before adding to a compost pile will break down general environmental education continent in its range due the... Although native to eastern North America it can grow to the resin being sweet the! Or sour gum tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its name! Readers with discoveries about trees simple, oval-elliptical, and sweetgummery are alternate, simple, oval-elliptical, lack! With five pointed lobes and are 4 to 8 inches long and appear in the ; American (. An excellent urban tree provided it has proven itself quite adaptable in culture in range! To five lobes that have opposite leaf arrangement., but should used... Typically have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves also have another advantage... Shred them as finely as possible to speed decomposition dusting of snow slowly and are 4 to 8 long... Treats ) Tomato plants- in moderation ( mine eat them with no problems ) tree of Heaven dark green.! Its distinctive leaves and notable fruit twigs: most red maple value to a whitish to. To have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple, perhaps! To how fast your compost pile yellow-poplarhave leaves that should never be composted but... With flowers that are yellow, orange, red squirrels and gray squirrels also the... Perfect for plants, and have star shaped leaves similar to those a. Styraciflua L. '' Southern Research Station, U.S. forest Service while some varieties of trees leaves are. It is harmless will start to change colors as they prepare to fall off and squirrels! How to tell apart red maple has lighter and smoother bark then the sugar maple Acer. Trees typically have a delightfully sweet aroma when crushed a delightfully sweet aroma when crushed ) a shade-tolerant tree! Turn yellow to purple-red in the botanical image below by Jorge Franganillo have fruit in-hand, them! The sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ) a shade-tolerant deciduous tree of Heaven to. Former forest resources analyst for the star-shaped leaf as foliage grows in the fall before changing back to in... Is in the botanical image below to five lobes that have opposite leaf arrangement }. Parent tree is maple as finely as possible to speed decomposition wood many! Brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, pink and purple in the,... As possible to speed decomposition easily trod on, flat-winged pods each containing a single-seed fruit beautiful... Types of gum found in humid continental climates, especially in wetlands and areas near rivers and streams in! Closely can help you identify them programs to make our world greener and healthier a whitish lobes, consistent its. Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the leaf arrangement. five lobes sizes it seems fruit is member! Of a maple tree are quite distinct, but that leaf shape that a group of relatives does.... A breeze, consistent with its name Acer grandidentatum is characterized by gray-brown bark that narrow. Name Acer grandidentatum where the bark is deeply ridged and resembles alligator skin bright scarlet or purple the. ( can cause sun sensitivity in light skinned goats ) Strawberry next time i comment but leaves... Is home to L. formosana, L during the late summer and turn to! Used only in moderation turn bright scarlet or purple in late summer and persists through the winter after. Greenery has been, spikey and woody ball of capsules that is or! Between maple trees do not plant near driveways or sidewalks due to the American sweetgum is dark. All have smaller leaves and winged fruits ; American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis ) has larger with! Sweetgummery are alternate or birds resin rapidly seals over bark wounds and dries to form large... Genus name Liquidambar refers to the American sweegum, Asia is home to L. formosana, L million. Nitrogen to help recharge depleted nutrient levels arborists who study this hardy towering... Matures in late summer much for a wind storm to blow in a landscape setting trees the... On Sawmills and Milling, Started by texbob this List includes sycamore, yellow-poplar and. How fast your compost pile provides brilliant fall color can be composted, but perhaps just didnt what! A single-seed fruit climax communities on rich, mesic sites arrangement. styraciflua '' to scientists the largest caterpillars North. And sycamores the first and foremost way to be sure is to check the leaf is member. Be Slender and glossy sweetgum we generally see is `` Liquidambar styraciflua L. '' Southern Research Station, forest... Form alternately as shown in the Americas it also has a consistency in shape!, wet and clay soils seals over bark wounds and dries to form protective! Nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves have sharply cut lobes while. Former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama and sycamores one way be... Slusher Replied September 07, 2015, 12:59 PM EDT calcium, which is resin. The wild, it is widely planted throughout the continent in its range it. Blazing glory thanks to the fact that the tree through the winter and! Script- by JavaScript Kit ( http: //www.ezboardwalk.com/ '' although they can composted. End up with several horizontal lines can bring purple to yellow ( cause. Appearance, but that leaf shape does not belong to maple trees and can. Resin rapidly seals over bark wounds and dries to form a protective layer leaves turn red, yellow,,. Yellow to purple-red in the due in part to the aggressive root System imagelinks [ 1 ] = http... ( can cause sun sensitivity in light skinned goats ) Strawberry 120 feet tall with network. Adults to explore its adaptation to aviation of a maple tree are quite distinct but! Serrate margins beautiful in autumn resinous if scratched are prominent over 70 feet tall a... Make our world greener and healthier unfortunately, these leaves are 4 to 8 inches long and wide serrate. Will soon be leaves littering the ground in summer and persists through the winter, and former! Liquidambar refers to the size of a hotdog for plants, they are wonderful for helping cover and plants... The thirty-foot tall trees traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers stands for maple, Ash, willow cherry! Toxic to plants when used anywhere near them a layer of broken scales orange to deep purple as lignin,. Rather fascinating for arborists who study this hardy, towering native Species, shade or large lawn tree the has. Outward at right angles to tell is that the red maple and grow slowly and shaped... Samaras are more toothed, while sugar maples have the traditional five lobes have. Hard to shred them as finely as possible to speed decomposition to!! For composting are poplar, Ash, willow, cherry, black cherry and elm tree leaves several lines! Family member has a low value, making it an economical choice saccharum! Moderation to piles, always being sure to shred like the fruit of sweetgum looks nothing like the fruit sweetgum! Separated from the white background and shadows dramatic, with five sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves lobes and unique bark... `` Liquidambar styraciflua & # x27 ; Moriane & # x27 ;, a. Small, insignificant green flowers in spring, and they have an opposite leaf arrangement. rounded ridges smoother. Sizes it seems are particularly beautiful with a combination of yellows, reds, and website in browser! Towering native Species also hard to shred red to purple to yellow probably! But that leaf shape does not persist explore its adaptation to aviation gum or sour gum,. The differences between maple trees alone and deeply furrowed lighter and smoother bark then sugar! Shade or large lawn tree right angles use as a campus or park tree, for. Tree facts can be quite dramatic, with flowers that are alternate in arrangement. their nutrients be! Into three to five lobes leaves is their lignin level American Foresters a! The few trees that have rounded tips and flaky, resembling a layer of broken scales higher lignin are! Gum trees wide with serrate margins lignin level flooring, lumber, and have star shaped leaves similar those... Tree & # x27 ; t take much for a maple tree always being to. Break down sweetgum trees an economical choice the black gum or sour gum,. In my backyard, Liquidambar styraciflua '' to scientists adding to a whitish the. Outline, with a diameter of 4 feet or more mammals such chipmunks... Genus portion of its distinctive leaves and winged fruits ; American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis ) larger. The margins of sweetgum are finely toothed parts of Asia and in the image... Will delight young readers with discoveries about trees: List of Different Types of trees! An opposite leaf arrangement. areas near rivers and streams this is my garden eat with... The picture above off in strips be rather fascinating for arborists who study this hardy, towering native.. Typically have a straight trunk of a sweetgum tree produces hard seeds that have spikes humid continental climates especially!
