GUM. (Liquidambar, Nyssa.)
This name is applied to two unrelated American trees—the Sweet or Red Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), a member of the witch-hazel family, and the Sour or Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica), which is one of the dogwoods.
The woods afforded by these two trees are also distinct from one another, although both are referred to by the one name, gum. The softer Sweet Gum figures in carpentry. Selected pieces so resemble black walnut as to be cut into veneers and made up into furniture. Sour Gum is harder, it splits with difficulty, and is fitted for small work and implements, such as wagon-hubs and tool-handles. Both woods are close-and often cross-grained, besides being strong, heavy, tough, and difficult to season.
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua).
The Sweet Gum tree is characterized by rough, round balls, resembling those of the sycamore, by pointed star-like leaves, suggesting those of the sugar maple, and by corky ridges on the bark of younger branches. These latter cause the bark to resemble alligator-skin and give rise to the name alligator-wood. Liquidambar refers to gums excreted by the tree and sometimes used in medicine. The Sour Gum bears ovoid bluish-black sour drupes, or fruit containing single roughened seeds. The thick oval leaves are dark green above and dull or hairy below. The foliage of both species becomes brilliant in autumn. [p100]
Sweet Gum. Liquidambar styraciflua Linn.
Nomenclature. (Sudworth.)
Sweet Gum (local and common name).