Habitat.—Prefers deep rich soils along streams.
Notes.—Sweet Gum cannot be classed as a valuable forest tree in West Virginia, though in other states its wood is extensively used for boxes, interior finish, etc. It is very desirable for planting in parks or on lawns and is especially attractive when the leaves change color in the fall.
SYCAMORE
Platanus occidentalis, L.
Form.—Height 100-150 feet, diameter 4-10 feet; trunk massive, usually short, often inclined; crown open, irregular, of large limbs and irregular branches.
Leaves.—Alternate, simple, broadly oval, 4-10 inches long, 3-5-sinuate lobed, the short lobes sharp-pointed, bright green above, pale and somewhat pubescent or woolly beneath.
Flowers.—May; monoecious; the staminate dark red on short axillary stalks, the pistillate greenish on long, slender terminal stalks.
Fruit.—October, persisting through the winter, in brown heads about 1 inch in diameter and suspended on long slender stalks. The chaffy achenes which compose the head are about ¾ of an inch long.