The Sweetgum is a large tree, growing up to 100 feet tall. It has a straight trunk,up to three feet wide.

Sweetgums grow in woods and along streambanks and lakes. Young Sweetgums are pioneer plants, growing quickly and taking over a field.

Sweetgums are easy to identify by their leaves. Leaves are star-shaped with five pointy lobes and a long stalk. Fully grown leaves are about six inches long, and bright green. In the Fall, leaves turn red.

Sweetgum is widely used for furniture, cabinet wood, veneer, and pulp.

You either love this tree or hate it because of the mess they can create in the yard. It does grow fairly quickly so if in the right spot...far from the house or immediate yard it can be a great addition to the landscape.

Sweetgum NCSU Fact Sheet
Clemson information on Sweetgum
Sweetgum information