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The Sweet Gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) has many commercial, medicinal, edible and residential uses. In this article I will detail what these uses are, and how they are utilized. But, for centuries Sweet Gum trees have been used for everything from Chewing gum, lumber, and medicine. Read on to learn the details of these uses of the Sweet Gum tree (with references). Common uses of Sweet Gum Trees Ornamental / Landscaping Sweet Gum trees are commonly used as ornamental trees, and/or landscaping. They are tall with a lovely ovular shape, commonly reaching heights of 70 feet or more. The height and shape make them great shade trees and beautiful additions to landscape. Sweet Gum Lumber In the South Eastern United States, Sweet Gum trees are utilized for lumber and furniture making. The lumber from Sweet Gum heartwood has a dark rich color and is often used for speaker boxes and various forms of furniture, cabinetry, or doors [1]. Image credit. Philipp Zinger Sweet Gum trees have interlocked grain that will result in potentially high amounts of lumber warping during the drying process regardless of saw method. After initial drying, Sweet Gum wood is stable and should not be expected to move much. Research has shown that the mechanical properties of Sweet Gum meet or exceed the Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera. [2] So, Sweet Gum lumber could be used in general construction pending the expected loads. Medicinal Resin from the sap of Sweet Gum tree is used in the drug Storax. It is said to help clear the lungs/sinuses, have somewhat antiseptic properties, and can be used to treat scabies. [3] Historically, in parts of Appalachia twigs would be soaked in water or brandy and then utilized to clean the teeth. Anti-virus properties of the Sweet Gum tree The flu, or Influenza is caused by a virus. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own, and need to find host cells. They reproduce within a host cell, then utilize a protein to burst the cell, releasing many replicates to infect other cells. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is a drug that is very successful in shortening the duration and severity of the flu. This is because it inhibits the protein that allows the virus to burst from it's host cell. Tamiflu is distilled from shikimic acid, which is present in the Sweet Gum tree. Infertile seeds of the Sweet Gum tree contain shikimic acid at 2.4-3.7%. [4] The bark of the Sweetgum tree contains about 1.7 mg/g of shikimic acid.[5] Both of these can be distilled with water. So, the Sweet Gum tree allows us to have a renewable domestic source of the key ingredient of Tamiflu. Native American Medicinal use of the Sweet Gum tree The Cherokee utilized the Sweet Gum tree (bark/sap) as a Diaphoretic, Febrifuge, Dermatological treatment and as a general medicine. [6] The Powhatan Indians utilized dried bark mixed with bark of Red Oak to make an infusion used to treat dysentery. [7] Edibility The dried sap of the Sweet Gum tree is the only part that is considered edible. From pioneers to modern day children have known how to obtain chewing gum from the Sweet Gum tree. Use a knife to slice to the cambrian layer of bark, and return in a week to collect the dried sap. This can be used as chewing gum. Ecological Uses of Sweet Gum Tree The Sweet Gum tree has high value to all levels of the ecosystem. Small mammals and deer eat young Sweet Gum saplings and foliage. [8] This includes deer, hogs, goats, and rabbits. Birds eat the seeds from the pods, while rodents and squirrels eat seeds that fall to the ground. Numerous insects feed on the Sweet Gum tree. This includes bark beetles, leaf hoppers and others. Additionally, there are several species of mushroom that grow on the bark. PIN IT FOR LATER: