Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

• Height: up to 25 m
• Trunk: smooth bark, later fissured and corky
• Crown: narrow, upright, conical crown, later broader and ovoid
• Leaves: alternate, maple-like, palmately lobed (5–7-lobed), approx. 10–15 cm long, finely toothed margin, dark green above, hairy at the vein junctions below, fragrant when crushed, long-stalked, turning a vivid carmine red in autumn
• Flowers: inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, female spherical or male spike-like inflorescences, in May
• Fruits/Seeds: 2–3 cm in size, spiny, spherical capsules, remain on the tree in winter
• Other: the resinous wood is fragrant

^{Photos: BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (1,2,3)}