414 



Sweet Gum 



it consists of many imbedded woody capsules, which are capped by the persist- 

 ent, woody, horn-like styles; the capsules split open at the top, exposing a pol- 

 ished inner surface and a solitary, flattened 

 angular seed, rarely two, about 12 mm. 

 long, with a short, ovate wing, together 

 with many variously shaped imperfect 

 seeds. 



The wood is hard, straight-grained, 

 weak, light brown; its specific gravity 

 is about 0.59. It polishes well, but warps 

 badly. It is used to a small extent in 

 carpentry. Its aromatic exudation and an 

 extract of the bark are used at the south 

 in catarrhal and stomachic affections, but 

 are not usually articles of commerce. 



The genus, of which this tree is the type 

 species, received its name by a combina- 

 tion of Latin and Arabic, in allusion to 

 the fragrant juice of these trees, of which 

 there are two additional species in Asia. 

 Several fossil forms are known from the Miocene formations of Europe and 

 America, extending far north into Greenland and Alaska. 



As an ornamental tree the Sweet gum has few superiors, its rapid growth, 

 freedom from disease or insect pests, symmetrical form, rich green leaves in sum- 

 mer, their gorgeous crimson autumnal coloration, and its striking silvery gray, 

 corky-winged branches in winter, combine to make this one of the most desirable 

 trees for park and street planting or for individual lawn specimens. 



Fig. 363. — Sweet Gum. 



