Sweetgum
Sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) are striking in late fall when their star-shaped leaves persist in vibrant shades of red, purple, burgundy, orange, and yellow. These native trees can grow taller than 75 feet and live for 75 years. Once immensely popular, sweetgums may annoy when their spiky brown gumballs litter the ground in winter. A surrounding bed of mulch or habitat for wildlife remedies this concern. Gumballs on the tree lure finches, nuthatches, and chickadees with two seeds in each of many chambers. Sweetgum leaves feed the caterpillars of the beautiful luna, imperial, and hickory horned devil or regal moths. Sweetgums grow in the wooded area at Sopchoppy Depot Park. Though not among the 130 species planted within the last 5 years, they contribute to the 189 native plant species inhabiting the park.
