Sweetgum (liquidambar styraciflua)

About these specimens: Although a beloved tree for its fall color and unique seed balls, sweetgums do not appear on Philadelphia’s list of approved street trees. Nevertheless, mature sweetgums with a circumference over 24” such as these are protected as heritage trees. (These are two more examples of street trees that long ago outgrew their too-small pits.)

Leaf type: Star-shaped leaves, usually 5 lobes, but often 7, about 4 – 7” across, bright green in summer with a range of stunning fall colors. When crushed, the leaves emit a camphoric fragrance.

Bark: medium gray and roughly furrowed
Fruit: distinctive woody, spiny fruit (gumballs) 1 -1 1⁄2” wide. Average mature size in city: 35- 60’ tall, 20’40’ wide Origin: native to eastern North America

Other notable features: The resin of sweetgum trees is used for the manufacture of syrups and ointments. Has long served as a folk treatment for skin irritations and wounds. Because the gumballs drop simultaneously posing an ankle-twisting hazard to pedestrians, many municipalities outlaw sweetgums.