The Sweetgum is One of the South's Oldest Trees - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

The Sweetgum Tree in Central and North Alabama Has Been Used for Centuries
One of the first trees that you will see in the state of Alabama is the Sweetgum. It can be towering or small. There are some that have made the Sweetgum into bonzai's in other places. The Sweetgum has a distinct scent
of lemon and mint. It's leaves looks like a five pointed star. The tree produces a type of fruit which favors a conifer and it produces two seeds per each fruit. Squirrels and most of Alabama's birds love feasting upon those nice little seeds. In the autumn, they fall to the ground. That's when you can't go barefooted underneath. They are terrible for massaging feet.

Laying aside all jokes, the Sweetgum tree has had many uses over the years. It is the second hardwood tree that is used in production of hardwood floors and furniture. The wood has a beautiful exterior when cut along the rings and varnished. It makes great flooring for a renovation project of an older home. Preferably one that you can find in Auburn, Alabama. There are several homes that could definitely be a great buy and renovated with this nice wood.
These trees are numerous and grow quickly making the wood eco-friendly and available in lumber yards.

The Cherokee, Choctaw and other Native American Tribes used to use the minty lemon leaves of this tree to treat external places on the skin. The leaves would be boiled and placed on the wound. This tea has the same medicinal values as "witch Hazel" some may say. This is advice I found on a corresponding website. I think this would be alright to use on some things, but not to be treated for any disease or wound that should be medically treated and evaluated.

The pioneers that came into this area used to split the bark of this awesome tree and use the sap and gum to chew as chewing gum. The sap and gum is so sweet, this is why they call these trees "Sweetgum trees". You will notice on the bark that new nobs will come up almost every year, this makes way for new branches. That makes it easy to cut off and chew as gum.

The Sweetgum is One of the South's Oldest Trees
June 14, 2009
Samantha Taylor
Associated Content, Inc.

Â© 2010 Associated Content, Inc.