Purdue Extension

Hardwood Lumber
and Veneer Series

Sweetgum
FNR-300-W

Daniel L. Cassens, Professor and Extension Wood Products Specialist

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) is

normally thought of as a southern tree. In the north,
it is noted for a brilliant red color in the fall, peculiar
star-shaped leaf and numerous “gum balls” that
contain the seeds but need to be raked up in
ornamental settings. The twigs can also have corky
out growths.
The species ranges from coastal New York to
central Florida through east Texas and north to
southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, with the exception
of the Appalachian Mountains. The tree is adaptable
to a wide range of sites, but it grows best on rich,
moist alluvial bottomland soils. The tree is capable
of rapid growth in dense stands producing large
volumes of wood. The largest tree reported is nearly
7½ feet in diameter at 4½ feet above the ground.

Chip Morrison
Wood Color and Texture
Old trees and even some younger trees have
relatively large heartwood, called red gum in the
trade. This wood has various shades of reddish Sweetgum tree
brown and can be variegated. The variegated
material with darker streaks is called “figured red Workability
gum.” The wood has interlocked grain, and when Sweetgum is an intermediate weight wood with
quartersawn, produces a ribbon stripe. a uniform texture, it averages intermediate in
Most of the sweetgum lumber produced today planning, shaping, boring, and turning. However,
is sapwood with some heartwood mixed in it. It is considering planning only, it is rated relatively low,
called sapgum in the lumber trade. This sapwood probably due to interlocked grain.
lumber normally has a pinkish or flesh color, and Strength
it can also be discolored by blue stain fungi. At 12 percent moisture content, sweetgum weighs
Sweetgum is a very fine, uniform textured wood 36 pounds per cubic foot, and it is an intermediate
with the pores and growth rings inconspicuous to weight wood. Its strength properties are likewise
the naked eye. The wood rays are also indistinct. intermediate.
Hardwood Lumber – Sweetgum

Steam Bending
The wood is rated intermediate as an acceptable
wood for bending when steamed.
Drying
The sapwood of sweetgum has a high initial
moisture content; the heartwood is considerably
lower. The wood can be dried with relatively severe
kiln schedules. However, with its interlocked grain, it
tends to warp severely. Therefore, it is extremely
important that stickers be placed on one foot centers,
and the tops of the piles be heavy weighted with
concrete or steel.
Shrinkage

Chip Morrison
Sweetgum is an intermediate weight wood, but it
has a high shrinkage coefficient equivalent to red
oak. This high shrinkage along with the interlocked
grain probably contributes to the excessive warping
during drying that is attributed to this species. Sweetgum logs showing the white sapwood which tends to turn
pinkish and a much darker redish-brown heartwood. The dark
Decay Resistance heartwood, especially in old trees, is called red gum.
The wood has no resistance to decay, and the
sapwood is easily discolored by blue stain fungi. uses for sapgum, such as cabinetry for electronics and
other lower-end furniture items, were replaced with
Commercial Use, Grading, and Value
substitute, nonwood material, interest in sapgum
Sweetgum has a very uniform grain pattern and
decreased. Today, it is the lowest valued hardwood
is moderately heavy. It would appear much like soft
lumber species available in large quantities.
maple but without the white wood. Red gum can
appear to look like cherry but without the luster. The Sapgum is graded standard and prices are
sapwood takes dark stain well. The wood is also reported only for the northern region. Stain is
easily painted. admitted in the grades of 2B Common and better
unless specified otherwise. In No. 3A Common, the
Interestingly, sweetgum in one form or another
cuttings are only required to be sound and not clear.
has been used for a large variety of applications. Old-
There is also a separate grade for quartered sapgum.
growth red gum was prized and used for furniture,
Sapgum is defined by the National Hardwood
electronic cabinetry, millwork, doors, and paneling
Lumber Association as lumber produced from the
where a decorative effect was desired. Before the
sweetgum tree as containing sapwood in excess of
advent of reconstituted wood products, the wood
the quantity admitted in the grades of red gum
was frequently used as core stock, and the flat
lumber.
surfaces were veneered. Any profile and turnings
were made from solid lumber. The entire assembly Red gum lumber is considered a specialty product
could then be stained to look like a number of more and not quoted in the market reports. Some red gum
expensive woods. The wood is easily rotary cut into lumber is still produced and even sold on the export
veneer and used in baskets and plywood core. Frame market. There are a number of different NHLA
stock, pallets, boxes, crates, railroad ties, and plup grade designation for red gum. These are as follows:
are all uses for lower grade stock. • Plain red gum
Red gum was prized as a valuable resource. • Plain sawn red gum, figured wood
It was exported to Europe and sold as satin walnut. • Quartered red gum
Red gum supplies eventually dwindled and have been • Ribbon stripe
replaced by sapgum. As many of the lower valued • Quartered red gum, figured wood
2
Hardwood Lumber – Sweetgum

These grade separations normally have to do with

the amount of sapwood allowed and or the amount
of figure required. For specific details, consult the
NHLA Rules for the Measurement and Inspection
of Hardwood and Cypress.
Other Considerations
Because of high shrinkage and interlocked grain,
gum requires special attention during drying. As a
result, it does not have the best reputation in the
lumber industry. However, once dried and kept in Range of the sweetgum
relatively controlled conditions, the wood like any
other is stable. Due to the shifting markets, sapgum
is a very inexpensive wood. It deserves more
consideration. Although a specialty item, red gum
would provide something nearly unique in today’s
market. Some red gum in older houses and furniture
is mistaken for cherry.

Chip Morrison

Interlocked grain pattern as shown on these split surfaces in sweetgum can result in severe twist unless the lumber is properly sticked
during air or kiln drying and top weighted.

3
Hardwood Lumber – Sweetgum FNR-300-W
Purdue Extension

Chip Morrison
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sweetgum is a relatively hard, uniform grained Boards 4, 5, and 7 are narrower boards from
wood previously used for furniture and plywood. It younger trees and show characteristic reddish,
tends to warp and stain easily. It is low valued and brown often streaked heartwood.
currently rarely used, except for industrial blocking Boards 6 and 8 are from old growth mature trees.
and pallets. Today, the species usually has a wide Board 6 is all heartwood with a variegated pattern.
sapwood, but some trees and particularly old trees,
have a large dark heartwood. Board 8 is nearly quartered sawn, has a uniform
grain pattern and a light reddish color. Old growth
Board 2 is all white sapwood with a few small pin sweet gum stock was sorted by several different color
knots. Boards 1 and 3 are also all sapwood, but they and sawing patterns. It was commonly used in the
are probably darker or flesh colored due to oxidation early- to mid-1900s as moulding and doors in
stain. The center of Board 3 shows two light cross houses. Pieces such as the last one are sometimes
grain stick marks due to stain associated with drying mistaken for cherry.
stickers. These two boards are probably more typical
of today’s lumber.

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