Identify the Sweetgum

Sweetgum is sometimes called redgum, probably because of the red color of the older heartwood and its red fall leaves. Sweetgum grows from Connecticut southward throughout the East to central Florida and eastern Texas and is a very common commercial timber species of the South. Sweetgum is easy to identify in both summer and in winter. Look for the star-shaped leaf as foliage grows in the Spring and look for the dried seed balls under the tree.

The Common North American Sweetgum

• Sweetgum

Leaves: alternate, simple, palmately lobed.
Fruit: a capsule.

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ID Glossary