Liquidambar styraciflua

Known to many as the "gumball tree" in affectual reminiscence or revisited annoyance.  The truth is, the tree is a beauty! The slightly corky bark and upswept branching habit make this tree ideal as a shade tree, for yard and parkway plantings. The fall color is a mix of fireworks in red, yellow and orange lasting until a very hard frost.  In nature, you will find this tree towering over moist areas and flood-plain woods in the southern third of the state, but we have found it to do well in our area in urban soils.  It may not get to the very large sizes found further south, but it can get to 50 feet here and look good doing it.