Hamamelidaceae -- Witch-hazel family

    Paul P. Kormanik

    Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also called redgum,  sapgum, starleaf-gum, or bilsted, is a common bottom-land species  of the South where it grows biggest and is most abundant in the  lower Mississippi Valley. This moderate to rapidly growing tree  often pioneers in old fields and logged areas in the uplands and  Coastal Plain and may develop in a nearly pure stand. Sweetgurn  is one of the most important commercial hardwoods in the  Southeast and the handsome hard wood is put to a great many uses,  one of which is veneer for plywood. The small seeds are eaten by  birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is sometimes used as a shade  tree.