American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Southeastern and Eastern United States, extending into Mexico and Central America.
- Hardness
- 850 lbf (Moderate)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable, with poor resistance to decay and insects when in contact with the ground.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a fine, uniform texture. Often features a distinctive figured pattern with dark streaks when stained or finished as in historical millwork.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown, frequently with darker purplish or black streaks. Sapwood is whitish or pale yellow. It has a moderate natural luster and darkens significantly with age and exposure to light under a finish.
Hardness (Janka)
850 lbf (Moderate)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable, with poor resistance to decay and insects when in contact with the ground.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot for standard lumber grades.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be 50 to 100 years old, typical of mid-20th-century residential millwork and trim.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern status according to the IUCN. Not listed on CITES appendices and widely available.
Common Uses
Interior trim, cabinetry, millwork, furniture, veneer, and plywood.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern and Eastern United States, extending into Mexico and Central America.
Workability
Presents moderate challenges due to its twisted and interlocked grain, which can cause tearout during planing. It glues, nails, and screws well and takes stains and finishes exceptionally well, often mimicking more expensive hardwoods like walnut or mahogany.
Finish Recommendations
Takes traditional varnish, shellac, lacquer, and oil finishes very well. Often finished with tinted varnishes or shellac in older homes to achieve a rich, dark reddish-brown hue.
Notable Features
Often used historically as a substitute or mimic for more costly woods like walnut or mahogany through staining. Contains moderate dimensional movement after drying.
