84. Liquidambar formosana – Chinese Sweetgum
Scientific Name: Liquidambar formosana
Nativity: Eastern Asia
Interesting Info:
Also called the formosa sweetgum, this Chinese sweetgum is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. Leaves and roots are often used to treat cancerous growths, bark for skin diseases, and fruit for arthritis, excessive body fluid, and pain relief. The wood is also used for making tea chests. Leaves are often used to feed silkworms used in silk production. It gets the name “sweetgum” from the aromatic sweet balsam scent that exudes from the sap. Female trees produce a fruit gum-ball shaped fruit covered in spikes, nicknamed “space bugs” or “sticker balls.”
DBH: 18.7 inches