In addition to the leaves, which cause a stir with their striking autumn colors, it is the unusual fruits that attract attention. What should you know about them if you call the sweetgum tree your own?

The sweetgum tree only bears fruit from the age of about 20 years

When do the fruits ripen?

The fruit of the sweetgum tree ripens in autumn. You can tell when the fruit is ripe when it opens or has opened. There are two flaps that open and seeds fall out.

wait 20 years

But be careful: Not every sweetgum tree bears fruit. Only from the age of about 20 years does a sweetgum tree blossom for the first time - different from variety to variety. That means you have to wait about 20 years for the first fruits to appear.

External features of the fruit

This is what the fruits of the sweetgum tree look like:

  • spherical
  • 2 to 3 cm tall
  • consist of numerous lignified capsules that are connected (up to 40 capsules per fruit)
  • hanging on long green stalks
  • grouped together in bunches (similar to grapes)
  • first green, later brown
  • studded with spikes
  • vaguely reminiscent of morning stars

Sterile and fertile seeds

In the fall, the seeds fall out and lie on the ground. Most of the seeds are sterile, i.e. not germinable. They are small and angular. The few fertile seeds are larger, elliptical in shape, dark brown in color and have membranous wings. They are carried away with the help of the wind.

The flowers - inconspicuous

The flowers of the sweetgum tree are much more inconspicuous than the fruits. A major reason will be that they appear in time with the fresh leaves. Like the leaves, their color is a lush green.

The flowering period usually begins in May (rarely in April). The flowers are unisexual. That is, there are male and female flowers. The male inflorescences are erect. They are reminiscent of the closed inflorescences of chestnuts. The ears are between 5 and 7 cm long. The female inflorescences hang down and are composed of balls.

tips

The fruits often remain on the sweetgum tree throughout the winter. They are a small but nice decoration.

Category:

Trees