Liquidambar Styraciflua 

Biological Overview

Habitat  

Moist rich soils in bottom lands, floodplains, and swamps.  

Diet  

The seeds of the sweetgum are eaten by small mammals like birds and squirrels.  

Role in Ecosystem  

The sweet gum gives important food and shelter to wildlife. The sweetgum seeds also nourish birds and small mammals.  

Behavior   

The behavior of a sweetgum is fast growing, light requirements, and great survival tactics. 

Human Impact

The impacts humans have on the sweetgum tree are ranging from widespread use in industry to medicine. This is because of its adaptability and rapid growth. It is often treated as a weed species by some foresters, yet it is valued mainly for its timber medicine and role in the ecosystem. The sweetgum tree has strong and invasive roots that can damage, sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. 

Creative Exploration

In the yard there is the sweetgum tree,  
Taller than my house taller than me, 
Its vibrant star shaped leaves sway in the air.  

Red and orange on the ground colors spread out all around,  
The spiky balls fall on the ground from the tree,  
Rolling where my feet might be.  

Some could say it is very messy,   
But love the unique gumballs spread across the vibrant colored ground,   
Each bright leaf that falls so free,  
Shows the unique ways of the sweetgum tree. 

Sheldon king, Matteo Gargiulo, Chance Moultrie 

Book 2