The leaves of sweet gum trees consist of three to seven small palmate lobes. The greenish male flowers are found on the same tree as the round clusters of female flowers. Prickley brown balls of seeds develop on the sweet gum tree, and they often live throughout most mild winters. The majority of naturally growing American sweet gum

trees originate in moist lowlands of the east coast, and usually grow to be 150 feet (45 meters). When the tree reaches maturity it shrinks to half the size of the earlier stages.

This tree is most commonly known for its value in parks. Wood carpenters around the world prize the sweet gum for its heart wood, known as red gum or satin walnut and is used for high quality furniture found in many American homes.