Trail Stop 5

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Nature Trails

White Gum, Gum-wood, Star-leaf Gum

Sweetgum is one of the most common trees in Southern forests. Often it is the first tree growing in cleared areas. Its resin has long been used for medicinal purposes, and its resin (sap) has a sweet taste and can be chewed like gum (hence the name sweetgum). It is a rapidly growing, long-lived tree that has beautiful color variations of red and yellow in autumn. It is also gaining popularity in reforestation projects because of its rapid growth on cutover lands and its use in making paper.

Quick ID:
It's easy to recognize its simple, alternate, palmately lobed leaves and its spiny fruit. Often the twigs and branches will have corky wings. It can be a large tree reaching 100 feet or more in height.