THE SWEET GUM OR BILSTED 



THE Sweet Gum or Liquidambar is a tree of extraordinary interest for several 

 reasons. It has resinous foliage of a most distinctive shape, it has picturesque 

 fruits on long stems, it has curious corky wings upon the branches, and it is a 

 survivor of a very ancient geologic type. It is essentially a Southern species, chiefly 

 inhabiting lowlands and often occupying large areas which are inundated during much of 

 the year. It occurs as far north as Connecticut, and reaches an immense size in the lower 

 valley of the Mississippi River. It is called by three distinctive names Sweet Gum, 

 Liquidambar, and Bilsted. At first glance the leaves of this tree remind one of some of 

 the Maples, but their lobes are much more regular, and the posterior lobes are larger and 

 more distinctive than those of any of the Maples. In summer the upper surface of these 

 leaves is of a lustrous bright green color, while its autumn coloring has been well described 

 by Miss Keeler in these words: "The autumnal coloring is not simply a flame, it is a con- 

 flagration; in reds and yellows it equals the Maples, and in addition it has the dark purples 

 and smoky browns of the Ash." 



The blossoms appear in May on the ends of the new twigs, the pollen-bearing flowers 

 being held in long catkins, while the seed-bearing ones are in heads on the ends of rather 

 long twigs. The former fall off after the pollen is shed, while the latter gradually develop 

 into the curious fruits that suggest the fruiting balls of the Sycamore or Buttonwood tree, 

 although they have not the solid surface of the latter fruits. 



The Liquidambar is hardy as far north as southern New England and wherever it 

 may be grown successfully it is exceedingly desirable as an ornamental tree, especially on 

 account of the distinctive beauty of its autumn foliage. Mr. Warren H. Manning, a well- 

 known horticulturist, writes that along the northern limits of its range the Sweet Gum 

 trees may be protected for a few years until they become established so they will be able 

 to endure the climate and grow to a fair size. This species is especially popular in England 

 on account of its autumnal coloring. 



The name Liquidambar is derived from the curious gum called commercially 

 "Copalm balm" which is produced by the sap when the bark is injured. Centuries ago 

 this gum was known as "liquid amber" and the great botanist Linnaeus gave the name 

 Liquidambar to this and related trees. A similar product from Oriental trees is used 

 to burn as incense. 



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