Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
GPS Coordinates: 40.026074, -75.312361
The Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is at tree widely known for it's beauty and colorful leaves throughout the seasons. It is characterized by distinctive starshaped leaves with five to seven lobes. They range from green in the summer, to yellow, red, purple, and orange in the fall. They are also an extremely tall tree—growing to up to 100 feet when fully mature. The fruit of a Sweetgum Tree is small, spiny, and circular, and are sometimes referred to as "gumballs." Interestingly enough, the sweet gum tree receives it's name due to it's brownish-yellow sap, that can sometimes be used as a chewing gum. The Sweetgum Tree is located on the Erdman Walkway, right in front of the Helfarian House.