Genus: Liquidambar - Species: styraciflua - Family: Altingiaceae
Phonetic Spelling: lih-kwid-AM-bar sty-rak-ee-FLOO-uh
Origin:Eastern United States, Mexico
Pennsylvania southwest to Texas, east to Florida, nnorth up to New England, California.
Resinous gum are used for creating chewing gum, incense, perfumes, folk medicines (for things like dysentery and diarrhea) and flavorings. In pioneer days, the gum was obtained from the trunks by peeling the bark and scraping the resin-like solid beneath. Currently, this tree is second in production to oaks among the hardwoods. The wood is heavy, moderately hard, and close grained and used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneer, plywood, pulpwood, barrels, and boxes. It is not durable upon exposure.
