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Sweetgum: Liquidambar styraciflua Hamamel idaceae |
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Sweetgum: Liquidambar styraciflua Hamamel idaceae |
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The genus Liquidambar contains three to four species that grow in North and Central America [1] and Asia [2]. All species look alike microscopically. The word liquidambar is from the Spanish common name in Mexico (indirectly from Latin liquid and amber), in reference to the fragrant resin.
Other Common Names: alligator-tree, alligatorwood, ambarwood, american mahogany, blisted, delta redgum, figured gum, gum, gumtree, gumwood, hazel, hazel pine, hazelwood, incense-tree, liquidambar, mulberry, opossum-tree, plain redgum, quartered redgum, redgum, sapgum, sapwood hazel pine, satin walnut, satinwood, splint sapgum, splinted sapgum,
starleaf gum, sycamore gum, whitegum.
Distribution: Sweetgum occurs naturally in the southeastern United States. Its range extends from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, south to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and east to the Atlantic coast.
The Tree: Sweetgum trees grow to heights of 100 ft (30 m), with diameters of 3 ft (1 m).
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of sweetgum is white to light pink,
while the heartwood is reddish brown to brown. The grain is interlocked, producing an attractive grain, but causing problems in seasoning. The wood is moderately hard, stiff, and
heavy.
Weighta |
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Moisture content |
Specific gravity |
Weight |
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lb/ft3 |
kg/m3 |
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Green |
0.46 |
50 |
801 |
12% |
0.52 |
34 |
545 |
Ovendry |
0.53 |
NA |
NA |
aReferences: specific gravity, green and 12%, (98); specific gravity, ovendry, (59); weight, (59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property |
Green |
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Dry |
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MOE |
1.20 x 106 lbf/in2 |
8.274 GPa |
1.64 x 106 lbf/in2 |
11.308 GPa |
MOR |
7.10 x 103 lbf/in2 |
48.955 MPa |
12.5 x 103 lbf/in2 |
86.188 MPa |
C| | |
3.04 x 103 lbf/in2 |
20.961 MPa |
6.32 x 103 lbf/in2 |
43.576 MPa |
C ⊥ |
0.37 x 103 lbf/in2 |
2.551 MPa |
0.62 x 103 lbf/in2 |
4.275 MPa |
WML |
10.1 in-lbf/in3 |
69.640 kJ/m3 |
11.9 in-lbf/in3 |
82.051 kJ/m3 |
Hardness |
600 lbf |
2,668.80 N |
850 lbf |
3,780.80 N |
Shear| | |
0.99 x 103 lbf/in2 |
6.826 MPa |
1.60 x 103 lbf/in2 |
11.032 MPa |
aReference (98).
Drying and shrinkagea,b
Type of shrinkage |
Percentage of shrinkage |
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0% MC |
6% MC |
20% MC |
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Tangential |
10.2 |
7.9 |
3.3 |
Radial |
5.3 |
4.2 |
1.7 |
Volumetric |
15.8 |
12.0 |
5.0 |
aSweetgum shrinks considerably in drying and does not stay in place well during use. It has a tendency to cup or check when exposed to the weather.
bReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20% MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea |
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Condition |
4/4, 5/4, 6/4 |
8/4 |
10/4 |
12/4 |
16/4 |
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Standard 1-in. squares 2-in. squares |
T8-C4 T11-D5 |
T5-C3 |
T5-C2 |
T5-B2 |
NA |
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aReferences (6, 86). |
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Working Properties: Sweetgum is above average in turning, boring, and steam bending. It is intermediate in planing, shaping, bending, splitting and holding nails and screws. It requires pretreatment before gluing. Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay. Preservation: No information available at this time. Uses: Lumber (boxes, crates, dimension stock, furniture parts and fixtures), veneer, plywood, slack cooperage, railroad ties, fuel and pulpwood. Toxicity: No information available at this time. Additional Reading: 29, 46, 55, 68, 74. |
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