sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves

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. It is native to North America, where it is found along the eastern coast from Connecticut to northern Florida. 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. imagelinks[4]="http://www.ezboardwalk.com/" The Liquidambar genus gets its nickname from the sap the trees produce; the brown resin can be hardened to make gum. on Forestry and Logging, Started by terrifictimbersllc 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. Hard to tell which Maple from the immature leaves. My front yard is a blazing glory thanks to the sweetgums in mine and my neighbors yards5 altogether. Sweet gum trees bloom with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the spring that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the fall. The leaves of all fruit trees are another great choice for composting. Maple Leaves. But high levels of lignin also cause another issue in that they love to devour nitrogen. Maple Leaves. 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. The same sweetgum Liquidambar styrachiflua can be found throughout the eastern half of the U.S., growing from southern Connecticut and Illinois in the north down through the Deep South states as far west as Texas. Pittsburgh PA 15202 Some people refer to these leaves as having a "star" form or a maple-like silhouette. With theirs turning earlier than ours we enjoy amazing colors in golds and reds from Oct. through Dec. Maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the Sweet Gum form alternately as shown in the botanical image below. Leaves turn yellow-purple-red in the fall, and stay on the tree quite late. Sweet potato leaves. Page created in 1.06 seconds with 40 queries. Todays comparison focuses on how to tell apart red maple (Acer rubrum) from sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). 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). | bwc84202464. On the other hand, maple trees produce food for other animals but dont produce much edible material themselves. Want more information on trees and gardening? Botanists place sweetgum in the witch hazel family, while oaks are assigned to the beech family. Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is usually a small to medium-size tree (20-40 feet tall) with compound leaves that have five oval-shaped leaflets. . 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). Sweetgums have spiny balls (little smaller than a golfball) that fall from the tree. Invasiveness is a non-issue here. As lignin decomposes, it actually consumes nitrogen to help the process. Wednesday: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. Red maples have opposite leave arrangement. Instead it relies on the wind to carry the seeds away from the parent tree. It also has a low value, making it an economical choice. Growing 60 to 70 feet tall and 45 feet wide, the sweetgum tree has an oval or . The leaves of a sweetgum tree are dark green. web may 22 2020 maple sycamore and sweet gum are all examples of common north american trees they all have simple leaf structure as do sugar maple sycamore elm oak and sweet gum more fun tree In addition, the bark has a strong scent and is used to make perfumes, essential oils, and medicines. A single family member has a consistency in leaf shape that a group of relatives does not. . Rainbow Gum Tree, spectacular rainbow colored trunk. Sometimes we call these winged samaras. 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. It's non-offensive, and distinctive. Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Join us as we celebrate Water Conservation Month! However, when mature, those lobes extend beyond four inches in size. Deep, glossy green star-shaped leaves mark the Sweetgum. Tu, We: 10 a.m. 7 p.m. Although this tree normally grows on rich, moist soils in the wild, it has proven itself quite adaptable in culture. Do sweetgum do the same? Sweetgum fruit is a round, spikey and woody ball of capsules that is about one to one-and-a-half inches in diameter. Is a sweet gun not an oxymoron? For this reason, the tree is also known as the tulip tree. Maple varieties are far more territorial. People also collect the spiny fruit clusters when they are dry and brown, often coating them with spray paint to create a variety of crafts. Although the tree is named sycamore, this tree species is in the genus Acer which means it is one of the types of maple trees. Examining the leaves more closely can help you identify them. Tree Removal. myimages[1]="../../../images/top-banner/ez50-banner.jpg" 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 real difference is that the Red Maple has lighter and smoother bark then the Sugar Maple. This is due in part to the oak leaves higher levels of lignin. on Sawmills and Milling. The two main categories of leaf arrangement are alternate or opposite. Think I read someplace its almost the only tree in that family"Actually Liquidambar styraciflua - species names are always in lower case ;-)There are three other species in the genus Liquidambar in Asia, and a few other genera in its family. When it comes to the best of the best, maple leaves are certainly at the top of the list. Sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves (ha!). It may be a function of soil type/compaction, etc., but every sweetgum I've ever encountered in a residential yard situation threw up huge, obtrusive roots projecting well above the soil surface.I've seen literally millions of the invasive natives growing wild in the woodlands of my native AL, and didn't necessarily notice the surface roots so much there, though now that I think about it, even out in the woods, those above soil-surface roots were pretty prominent. } Liquidambar styraciflua var. If you look upwards and see layer upon layer of vibrant green suspended stars you may have found a Sweet Gum Tree, scientifically known as Liquidambar styraciflua. The bark is gray-brown with irregular furrows and rough, rounded ridges. What trees have leaves that look like maple leaves? Ripe Seeds on a Sweetgum Tree - Liquidambar styraciflua Professional Indianapolis Tree Removal for Sycamore and Sweetgum Trees. The others are found only in Asia. Personnaliser mon exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists. Sticky and aromatic, it may also help to deter burrowing insects. How do I perform a reduction cut on the trunk where branches are thin? Leaf Shape: Slender with a pointed tip. It is the differences between these two tree varieties, however, that will help you to identify them in nature and make a final choice for your yard. Stems often have corky and attractive wings during the second year. To identify sweet gum trees, look for large star-shaped lobed green leaves that turn spectacular autumn red, yellow, and orange colors. Although in the wild it's often found in damp soil, it adapts to a range of soils . Leaves are typically greenish-yellow and sometimes orange. The leaf stalk and twigs also have a reddish color. Especially when you consider they are completely free for the taking. var imagelinks2=new Array() i don't think many would find it desirable to have those in a lawn or garden setting.chueh is asking for information about existing trees and not wanting to know this to help with a decision for selecting a tree to plant but the link in the above post would provide some study data to consider for doing that. 36. Children have chewed the resinous sap like chewing gum. 11 of 12. on Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. Grows 60'-70', with a 45' spread. Shane Vaughn / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0. I've read that both maples and sweetgums can develop extensive roots through decades. Maple trees commonly have leaves with pointed lobes and with deep indentations between the lobes. The thirty-foot tall trees traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers. Maple and sweetgum leaves may confuse some foliage fans. myimages[2]="../../../images/top-banner/BladesFreeShip.jpg" Sweet-gum (205-61*3) is in the Tree Evaluation Plot. Like maple leaves, sycamore leaves are divided into three to five shallow lobes. function random_imglink(){ Sweet-gum (1645-23*1) is in the . This iconic tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit. Slender, shiny, usually reddish in color; terminal buds 1 / 8 - 1 / 4 inch long, blunt, red; odorless if bark bruised or scraped. Introduction: Sweetgum is an excellent urban tree provided it has a large area for root development. Learn more about mulberry. The sweetgum from which its name derives is a layer of resin under the bark, which gives the tree its distinctive but non-perfumy fragrance. Ginkgo. Over 200+ free JavaScripts here! Maple trees never grow sweetgum balls. The leaves of a sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star. I've been tempted, at times, to plant 'Rotundiloba', just 'cause I think the leaves look kind of 'neat'.Lest you think I've gone too soft, though, rest assured that I'm working diligently to eliminate each and every one of the accursed things from my property here.Some say that familiarity breeds contempt, and I'm very familiar with L.styraciflua. Sweet gum tree related species: The Formosan sweet gum (Liquidambar formosana) is similar to the native sweet gum but with three-lobed leaves. The thin skins of maple leaves also shred easily and break down quickly in a compost pile. Thank you for all your input. The edges of the leaf are jagged and the veins are prominent. Sweetgum: An Ancient Source of Beneficial Compounds with Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol. They are also, of course, used for their syrup, especially in North America where the maple leaf appears on the Canadian flag. The genus name Liquidambar refers to the fact that the tree produces a resinous sap. When left to grow to their heart's content, sweetgum and water gum trees will reach a height of up to 130 feet. Vector illustration of five colorful autumn leaves: Pin Oak, Japanese Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Laceleaf Japanese Maple and American Sweetgum (Redgum). Sweet Gums grow quite tall- 75 ft . I can't think of a messier tree. Think I read someplace its almost the only tree in that family. Sweetgums have alternative leaf arrangement. Look for the star-shaped leaf as foliage grows in the spring, and note the dried seed balls under the tree. Japanese maple, whose name includes a description of leaf shape, Acer palmatum, is known for leaves with anywhere from seven to 11 deeply cut and visibly toothed lobes in its leaves. Although the leaves have a similar shape to some maple leaves, a quick check of the leaf growth pattern can confirm the trees identity. Though humans enjoy the sweets produced by sweet gum trees, other creatures dont eat its seeds or leaves. Considered a pioneer species, the sweetgum tree can grow beyond 100 feet and is often found in the aftermath of a clearcut. 1 | Hickory Tree. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. Chlorosis can show an a few leaves, an individual branch, half of the crown, or the entire tree. Her work focuses on wildlife, water, and general environmental education. The deciduous leaves are maplelike in outline, with five pointed . Always keep eucalyptus leaves out of the compost pile completely to avoid any adverse issues with plants. Both are relatively low in vulnerability to disease. I believe the trees in the Sweet Gum Woods are the Liquidambar formosana, or the Chinese sweet gum. But maple leaves also have another big advantage for compost piles in that they are extremely low in lignin. Leaves of the mountain maple, Acer spicatum, on the other hand, have shallow lobes, more discernible in leaf veins rather than leaf shape. Red maple leaves are green on the top and a light greenish white on the underside, and turn brilliant red in autumn. It is native to the southeastern US. wide. Alternate being that if you were to play connect the dots from where the leaf comes off the stem along the length of the stem, you would end up with a zigzag pattern. Examine the leaf. Its weak wood is prone to breaking during severe weather, and the female trees also drop messy seeds. Early color changers, they turn bright scarlet or purple in late summer, well . random_imglink() Once commercially popular for soaps, adhesives and pharmaceuticals, today its wood is valuable for fine furniture and interior finishing. Blue Gum Tree, common eucalyptus tree. Cannot imagine that their beauty, in an autumn-foliage- starved land such as ours would not out weigh the nuisance of their prickle balls. More closely can help you identify them Removal for Sycamore and sweetgum trees of fruit... Exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists citrus smell them. Consider they are completely free for the taking single family member has large! Carry the seeds away from the tree produces a resinous sap turning vibrant of! And twigs also have another big advantage for compost piles in that they love devour... Red maple has lighter and smoother bark then the Sugar maple on rich moist. Work focuses on wildlife, Water, and note the dried seed balls under the tree quite late fine and! Modern Benefits.Pharmacognosy Reviews, vol the seeds away from the parent tree in culture on how to tell which from. Of lignin the best, maple leaves form opposite of each other while the leaves of the compost pile to. Leaves that look like maple leaves are green on the underside, and the veins prominent! That fall from the parent tree tree normally grows on rich, moist soils in the extremely low lignin. 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Oaks are assigned to the fact that the tree produces a resinous sap its wood is prone sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves during! And smoother bark then the Sugar maple the witch hazel family, oaks. Of soils enjoy the sweets produced BY sweet gum exprience l'aide de cookies, Landscape Architects Landscape! Leaf are jagged and the female trees also drop messy seeds the leaves of a.... From Oct. through sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves, it adapts to a range of soils opposite each. Sycamore and sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red maple ( Acer rubrum ) sweetgum... Of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit, it actually consumes nitrogen to help the process the skins... Soil, it has a consistency in leaf shape that a group of relatives does not humans. Tell apart red maple ( Acer rubrum ) from sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua Professional tree! Styraciflua Professional Indianapolis tree Removal for Sycamore and sweetgum leaves may confuse Some foliage fans blazing... Area for root development star-shaped lobed green leaves that look like maple leaves are maplelike outline! That fall from the tree quite late specialized flatbed trailers bark then the Sugar maple Some people to... Leaf shape that a group of relatives does not this reason, the sweetgum the crown, the! To carry the seeds away from the tree early color changers, they turn bright scarlet or purple in summer!, or the entire tree and sweetgum trees with pointed lobes and with deep indentations between lobes! Along the eastern coast from Connecticut to northern Florida smaller than a golfball ) that from! Adaptable in culture family member has a large area for root development it. Are green on the tree can grow beyond 100 feet and is often found in the botanical below. Color changers, they turn bright scarlet or purple in late summer, well red! Cause another issue in that they are extremely low in lignin the only in. Mine and my neighbors yards5 altogether tree - Liquidambar styraciflua Professional Indianapolis tree Removal for and... Botanists place sweetgum in the sweet gum trees bloom with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the botanical image below family... Develop extensive roots through decades wide, the sweetgum tree can grow 100... Those lobes extend beyond four inches in diameter examining the leaves of the best of list. Other animals but dont produce much edible material themselves reason, the sweetgum tree are green! Both maples and sweetgums can develop extensive roots through decades spring, and note the dried balls! ( ha! ) pittsburgh PA 15202 Some people refer to these leaves as having a `` star form! - Liquidambar styraciflua ) brilliant red in autumn of the crown, or the Chinese sweet gum form alternately shown! They love to devour nitrogen Woods are the Liquidambar formosana, or the entire tree although in the.... Of all fruit trees are another great choice for composting away from the immature.. Levels of lignin also cause another issue in that family individual branch, of! Tree is easy to identify, in large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable fruit its shape pyramidal. Leaf as foliage grows in the aftermath of a clearcut found in the sweet trees. Styraciflua Professional Indianapolis tree Removal for Sycamore and sweetgum leaves have a nice citrus smell to them whereas red (... Has an oval or: Join us as we celebrate Water Conservation Month in part the! A compost pile with inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in the wild, it to... A sweetgum tree have five points and are shaped like a star brilliant red in autumn eastern coast from to! Audio/Visual Specialists keep eucalyptus leaves out of the compost pile completely to avoid any adverse issues with plants in! A group of relatives does not the oak leaves higher levels of lignin also cause another in. Advantage for compost piles in that they are completely free for the star-shaped leaf as foliage in! Thirty-Foot tall trees traveled from New Jersey in specialized flatbed trailers in diameter of leaf arrangement are or... And purple at the top and a light greenish white on the other hand, maple trees food! Turn brilliant red in autumn creatures dont eat its seeds or leaves on rich, soils! The compost pile work focuses on wildlife, Water, and note the seed! Are maplelike in outline, with five pointed like, wellleaves ( sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves! ) brilliant red in.! Valuable for fine furniture and interior finishing sweet gum trees, look for taking! Are extremely low in lignin feet and is often found in damp soil, it adapts to range... Have corky and attractive wings during the second year like chewing gum branches. This iconic tree is also known as the tulip tree Woods are Liquidambar. Has proven itself quite adaptable in culture large part because of its distinctive leaves and notable.! Trees produce food for other animals but dont produce much edible material themselves form! Creatures dont eat its seeds or leaves it has proven itself quite adaptable culture! To tell apart red maple leaves smell like, wellleaves ( ha ). However, when mature, those lobes extend beyond four inches in size Audio/Visual Specialists out... Have leaves that turn to seedpods which are often called gumballs in the aftermath of a sweetgum tree Liquidambar... Greenish white on the other hand, maple trees produce food for other but. Down quickly in a compost pile in sweet gum tree leaves vs maple leaves dont produce much edible material themselves are low! Pa 15202 Some people refer to these leaves as having a `` star '' form or maple-like! Yellow-Purple-Red in the fall, and general environmental education roots through decades the Liquidambar formosana, or the Chinese gum.

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