Sweetgum is one of the most distinctive trees of the eastern United States, with star-shaped leaves that turn brilliant yellow, orange, and crimson in fall, and prickly spherical seed balls that litter the ground in winter. The seed balls are eaten by goldfinches, pine siskins, and many small birds. The aromatic resin was historically used in chewing gum.
Habitat
Moist bottomlands, floodplains, and upland forests of eastern and southeastern US
Diet
Spiky seed balls eaten by goldfinches, pine siskins, and juncos
How common
Common
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