Liquidambar styraciflua, commonly known as the American sweetgum, is a stately deciduous tree admired for its symmetrical form, star-shaped leaves, and striking seasonal color. Native to the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico and Central America, it typically grows 60–100 feet tall, forming a pyramidal to oval crown as it matures. Its glossy, palmately lobed leaves—often five-pointed like a star—emerge bright green in spring, deepen through summer, and erupt into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, purples, and yellows in autumn, making it one of the most vibrant fall-color species in temperate climates. The bark is gray-brown with corky ridges, and many branches bear distinctive winged growths that add winter interest. Inconspicuous spring flowers give rise to the tree’s well-known spherical, spiky seed pods, which persist through winter and attract both birds and small mammals. Sweetgum thrives in full sun and moist, acidic to neutral soils but tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, including urban settings, where it provides excellent shade and ornamental value. Its aromatic resin, historically called “storax,” has been used in traditional medicines and perfumes, while its strong, fine-grained wood remains valuable for furniture, veneers, and other hardwood applications.