WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Had to go to Stamford, CT recently and came across this tree growing on its own in some woods between a housing complex and doctor’s offices. Its yellow foliage, star-shaped leaves, with spherical spiky fruit heads caught my attention. It’s sweetgum or Liquidambar styraciflua. This tree is normally found in the southern parts of New York State. Apparently, it’s cold hardy to zone 5 and could tolerate many portions of the Catskills. Its bark resembles something like a Norway maple or ash tree’s bark, and it grows similarly in height to each of those as well. In any case, you never know what you’re going to find in those random woodlots between developments.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association