Sweet Gum Tree old_product_id_9828 blade shaped leaves that increase in All Trees blade shaped leaves that increase in size towards the bottom of them and establish long term vegetation for restoration projects on streambanks known as liquidambar styraciflua is a flowering tree in the family Altingiaceae native to forests of the eastern United States and Central America․ They have very characteristic growth patterns and are‚ in addition to their highly decorative star like leaves‚ among the most picturesque of trees in the natural world․ The tree's stunning colors change from bright green in the spring to brilliant orange‚ yellow and red in the fall months‚ making them beautiful throughout the changing seasons․ Each of the seasons of its life cycle can be appreciated for the majesty and beauty within nature․ The more we understand about the tree‚ the more we realize it is not just a pretty addition to the landscape‚ but also a species that has both cultural and ecological importance‚ as well as commercial value․ About the time its leaves are uncurling in the spring‚ trees of the sweet gum family can be dressed in bright green‚ providing shade and comfort on a hot day․ The colors of the American sweetgum's foliage will start to change during the fall months․ American sweetgum leaves turn a colorful red‚ orange and yellow․ It is often remembered for its spiky seed pods and smooth bark during the fall season when most trees are changing colors․ Sweet gum is widely used as a park tree‚ both as a specimen tree and shade tree‚ or as both․ It serves to draw the eye‚ add interest‚ and catch the viewer's attention within the larger landscape that contains it․ The range of sizes and pleasing form‚ which can be columnar and tapering to large and wide spreading‚ has made the sweet gum a favored landscape tree․