The genus Liquidambar contains three to four species that grow in North and Central America [1] and Asia [2]. All species look alike microscopically. The word liquidambar is from the Spanish common name in Mexico (indirectly from Latin liquid and amber), in reference to the fragrant resin.
Other Common Names: alligator-tree, alligatorwood, ambarwood, american mahogany, blisted, delta redgum, figured gum, gum, gumtree, gumwood, hazel, hazel pine, hazelwood, incense-tree, liquidambar, mulberry, opossum-tree, plain redgum, quartered redgum, redgum, sapgum, sapwood hazel pine, satin walnut, satinwood, splint sapgum, splinted sapgum, starleaf gum, sycamore gum, whitegum.
Distribution: Sweetgum occurs naturally in the southeastern United States. Its range extends from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, south to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and east to the Atlantic coast.
The Tree: Sweetgum trees grow to heights of 100 ft (30 m), with diameters of 3 ft (1 m).
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of sweetgum is white to light pink, while the heartwood is reddish brown to brown. The grain is interlocked, producing an attractive grain, but causing problems in seasoning. The wood is moderately hard, stiff, and heavy.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.46 50 801
12% 0.52 34 545
Ovendry 0.53 NA NA
aReferences: specific gravity, green and
12%, (98);
specific gravity, ovendry, (59); weight,
(59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 1.20 106 8.274 GPa 1.64 106 11.308 GPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
MOR 7.10 103 48.955 MPa 12.5 103 86.188 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C| | 3.04 103 20.961 MPa 6.32 103 43.576 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C 0.37 103 2.551 MPa 0.62 103 4.275 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 10.1 69.640 kJ/m3 11.9 82.051
in-lbf/in3 in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness 600 lbf 2,668.80 N 850 lbf 3,780.80 N
Shear| | 0.99 103 6.826 MPa 1.60 103 11.032 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea,b
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 10.2 7.9 3.3
Radial 5.3 4.2 1.7
Volumetric 15.8 12.0 5.0
aSweetgum shrinks considerably in
drying and does not
stay in place well during use. It has
a tendency to cup
or check when exposed to the weather.
bReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Standard T8-C4 T5-C3 T5-C2 T5-B2 NA
1-in. squares T12-F6
2-in. squares T11-D5
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: Sweetgum is above average in turning, boring, and steam bending. It is intermediate in planing, shaping, bending, splitting and holding nails and screws. It requires pretreatment before gluing.
Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Lumber (boxes, crates, dimension stock, furniture parts and fixtures), veneer, plywood, slack cooperage, railroad ties, fuel and pulpwood.
Toxicity: No information available at this time.
Additional Reading: 29, 46, 55, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101.