Sweetgum

Botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua

Other names: US: sweetgum, redgum, sapgum UK: satin walnut, hazel pine FR: noyer satiné VL: satijnnoten NL: amberhout

The lumber from sweetgum is usually separated into sap gum (the light-colored sapwood) or redgum (the reddish brown heartwood). Sweetgum often has a form of cross grain called interlocked grain, and it must be dried slowly. When quartersawn, interlocked grain produces a ribbontype stripe that is desirable for interior woodwork and  furniture. The wood is moderately heavy and hard. It is moderately strong, moderately stiff, and moderately high  in shock resistance.

Sweetgum is used principally for lumber, veneer, plywood, slack cooperage, railroad crossties, fuel, pulpwood, boxes and crates, furniture, interior moulding, and millwork.