=ALTINGIÀCEAE.= Sweet Gum Family.
=Liquidámbar Styracíflua= Linnæus. Sweet Gum. Plate 70. Large trees with
resinous sap; bark deeply furrowed, grayish; twigs when very young
somewhat hairy, soon becoming glabrous, a light reddish-brown by the end
of the season, later a gray, usually some or all of the branchlets
develop one or more corky ridges running lengthwise of the branchlets,
or in some cases only corky excrescences; leaves simple, alternate,
long-petioled, orbicular in outline, cleft into 5 wedge-shaped lobes,
rarely 7 lobes, average blades 5-12 cm. long, truncate or cordate at the
base, margins finely serrate, hairy on both surfaces on unfolding, soon
becoming glabrous above, and remaining more or less hairy beneath
especially in the axils of the veins, at maturity turning to a dull or
brilliant red; flowers in heads, expanding in April or May; fruit a
globular, horny aggregate of carpels, 3-4 cm. in diameter including the
horns; wood heavy, hard, not strong, close-grained, inclined to shrink
and warp in seasoning, takes a good polish, heart wood a rich brown
which can be finished to imitate walnut or mahogany.
=Distribution.=--Connecticut, southern Ohio to Missouri, south to
Florida and west to Texas, and in the mountains in Mexico south to
Guatemala. In Indiana it is confined to wet woods in the southern half
of the State. The most northern records are from Franklin, Shelby,
Putnam and Parke Counties. Wherever it is found it is usually a frequent
to a common or very common tree. It is most frequently associated with
the beech, but in the very wet woods it is found with pin oak, red
birch, cow oak and white elm.
=Remarks.=--This species grows rapidly; is somewhat hard to transplant;
grows straight and tall with few side branches, and adapts itself to a
wet, compact soil. In the "flats" of southern Indiana where it is
associated with pin oak, red birch and beech, it is to be preferred for
forest planting to these or any other species that could be grown in the
"flats." It is practically free from all injurious insects. Sweet gum
should be one of the principal species in wet places of the woodlots of
southern Indiana.
This species is one of the best for ornamental planting in all parts of
the State where it is hardy. It is doubtful if it is wise to use it in
the northern part of the State. Several trees in the northern part of
the State are known to be quite hardy, but there are reports that it
sometimes winter-kills. It can also be recommended for roadside and
street planting.
[Illustration: Plate 71.