The sweet gum tree is a pyramidal-shaped shade tree in its early stages, becoming more rounded as it matures. Star-shaped leaves are glossy green, turning into a spectacle of colors in the fall. Clusters of long-stemmed, spiked balls appear in the fall and remain through winter; bark is deeply furrowed as the tree ages. The sweet gum is relatively pest-free, except for bagworms. Flowers are yellow and green, and insignificant. It is named sweet gum because the tree exudes a fragrant resinous gum that has served as a substitute for chewing gum.
The sweet gum is a hardwood tree. Sapwood is creamy white with pinkish tinges. Heartwood is a pinkish- to reddish-brown with a darker grain. By staining, sweet gum wood resembles walnut, cherry, and maple woods, but is less expensive than the woods it resembles. Lumber from sweet gum trees rates good for holding nails and gluing. It is a moderately hard and strong wood, but is susceptible to decay and warping. Wood dries very quickly with high shrinkage. It is commonly used in woodwork, cabinets, furniture, baskets, boxes, and crates. Sweet gum takes stain well and finishes to a lustrous shine.