Altingiaceae > Liquidambar (sweetgum)
Orange Co., NC
1 June 2009
Common statewide in North Carolina (though less widespread in the mountains). Although Sweetgum commonly grows in disturbed areas such as old fields and roadsides, it reaches its grandeur in bottomlands, flood plains, and other similar moist habitats where it can grow to 6 feet in diameter at breast height!
Orange Co., NC
1 June 2009
Leaves are distinctively palmately lobed and nearly star-shaped. Recent taxonomic studies have resulted in splitting this genus out of the traditional Hamamalidaceae and into the Altingiaceae.
Durham Co., NC
8 Feb 2008
Twigs are often (but not always) adorned with corky wings. Sweetgum gets its common name from the fact that its sap used to be harvested as a source of chewing gum.
Durham Co., NC
8 Feb 2008
In winter, sweetgum is often easily recognized by the presence of persistent spiky balls of fruits.
Durham Co., NC
8 Feb 2008
Fruits are capsules with shiny angled seeds that are enjoyed by a variety of birds.
Durham Co., NC
22 Mar 2009
Springtime bud break!
Durham Co., NC
29 Mar 2009
Immature flowers developing.
Orange Co., NC
24 June 2009
Sapling
Orange Co., NC
24 June 2009
In upland old fields Sweetgum is often a weedy, "pioneer" species, meaning it's one of the first tree species to become established in this area following a disturbance (like a fire, clearcut, hurricane, etc.). This is a pine forest that was thinned and burned a year before taking the photo. One year later, the understory is mostly sweetgum saplings.
Durham Co., NC
8 Feb 2008
Bark appearance is variable with age of tree.
Durham Co., NC
12 Sep 2012
They can be a large canopy tree in the bottomlands!
Orange Co., NC
2 Nov 2012
Open-grown Sweetgum in fall color.
Orange Co., NC
2 Nov 2012
Fruits and fall color Sweetgum.