American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua
This medium-to-fast growing tree has star-shaped leaves which turn brilliantyellow, orange and red in the fall.  Sweetgums can grow to 80-120 ft tall and arefairly resistant to insects and diseases.  This hardiness probably explains why they are known to live hundreds of years and can have trunk diameters of 4 ft. The downside to this beautiful tree is that it drops spiky, gumball fruit that can be annoying to walkers and some homeowners. However, the fruit is enjoyed by animals such as squirrels, deer and chipmunks.

Interesting facts: The tree is one of the most common sources of hardwood and plywood. It also produces a resin that hardened is used for chewing gum, hence its name, sweetgum. 
ODNR, Wikipedia, Yale Nature walk
Glendale facts: There are some very large specimens as you walk down Fountain Avenue toward the square.

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