Sweetgum is a valuable and sometimes troublesome forest tree in East Texas. It occurs on rich river bottoms and in swamps subject to frequent overflow, as well as on the dried uplands, as far west as the San Jacinto River Basin. The [BARK] is a light gray, roughened by corky [scales], later becoming deeply furrowed. After the second year the twigs often develop corky projections of bark, which give them a winged appearance.
The [simple], [alternate] star-shaped LEAF with its 5 to 7 points or lobes, is 5 to 7 inches across and [aromatic]. In the fall its coloring ranges from pale yellow through orange and red to a deep bronze.
SWEETGUM (Leaf and [fruit], one-third natural size; twig, two-thirds natural size)
The FLOWERS of both sexes appear on the same tree and open with the leaves. The [FRUIT], a head an inch or more in diameter, is made up of many [capsules] with projecting spines. It hangs on the tree late into the winter.
The WOOD is moderately hard, close-grained, and not durable on exposure. The reddish-brown [heartwood], which suggests the name red gum, is not present to any appreciable extent in logs under 16 inches in diameter. The wood is extensively used for flooring, interior finish, paper pulp, and veneers for baskets of all kinds.
In the uplands, this species competes aggressively with the more valuable Southern pines. The control of sweetgum is, therefore, a problem. This attractive species should be more widely planted for ornamental use.
AMERICAN SYCAMORE
Plantanus occidentalis L.
American sycamore, also called planetree and buttonwood, is considered the largest [hardwood] tree in North America. It occurs throughout eastern Texas to Zavalla County. It is most abundant and reaches its largest size along streams and on rich bottomlands. It grows rapidly and occasionally attains a height of 140 to 170 feet and a diameter of 10 to 11 feet.
The [BARK] of the sycamore is a characteristic feature; on the younger trunk and large limbs it is smooth, greenish-gray in color. The outer bark of limbs and upper trunk flakes off in large patches and exposes the nearly white younger bark. Near the base of old trees, the bark becomes thick, dark brown and divided by deep furrows.