GUM. 



{Liquidambar , Nyssa.) 



This name is applied to two unrelated American trees — 

 the Sweet or Red Gum (Liquidambar styracijlua), a member 

 of tlie witch-liazel family, and the Sour or Black Gum (_Nyssa 

 sylvatica), which is one of the dogwoods. 



The woods afforded by these two trees are also distinct 

 from one another, although both are referred to by the one 

 name, gum. The softer Sweet Gum figures in carpentry. 

 Selected pieces so resemble black walnut as to be cut into 

 veneers and made up into furniture. Sour Gum is harder, it 

 splits with difficulty, and is fitted for small work and imple- 

 ments, such as wagon-hubs and tool-handles. Both woods 

 are close- and often cross-grained, besides being strong, heavy, 

 tough, and difficult to season. 



The Sweet Gum tree is characterized by rough, round balls, 

 resembling those of the sycamore, by pointed star-like leaves, 

 suggesting those of the sugar 

 maple, and by corky ridges 

 on the bark of younger 

 branches. These latter 

 cause the bark to resemble 

 alligator-skin and give rise 

 to the name alligator-wood. 

 Liquidambar refers to gums 

 excreted by the tree and 



sometimes used in medicine. Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styracijlua). 



The Sour Gum bears ovoid bluish-black sour drupes, or fruit 

 containing single roughened seeds. The thick oval leaves are 

 dark green above and dull or hairy below. The foliage of 

 both species becomes brilliant in autumn. 



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