FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Distinctive, ridged corky growth often appears on twigs, but on any side. Star-shaped leaves and prickly gum balls are key features of this nearly unmistakable tree.
Description: Medium to large deciduous tree, to 20 m. Corky growth frequently appears on branches, in any plane.
Leaves: Alternate, palmately lobed (star-shaped) serrated leaves, measuring about 15 cm long by 11 cm wide.
Flowers/Fruit: Fruiting clusters are spherical, woody, spiny, "gum balls," 2 to 3 cm wide. The gum balls hang like ornaments and persist during winter. Blooms April/May; fruits August/September.
Habit and Range: Swampy woodlands, moist uplands, and old fields. Common throughout North Carolina in a wide range of soil conditions although absent at higher elevations.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
In winter, Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) branches may be confused with Ulmus alata (winged elm) which has corky growths only along one plane, from two sides of branches.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
