Sweetgum is a beautiful, tall hardwood admired for, among other things, its adorable star-shaped leaves that turn brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall. 
 
     This particular cultivar, 'Slender Silhouette,' was found growing in the wild in Tennessee.  Its branches angle tightly upward against the trunk, making this tree a great choice for tight spaces.  It still has those hard, spiky seed balls, but they fall close to the trunk and not all over the lawn. 
 
     Sweetgum also is a larval host to the Luna Moth, Promethea Silkmoth, and dozens of other species.  It attracts native bees, wasps, flies and beetles; birds feast on the seeds and insects enjoy the foliage.
 
     Fun fact: In earlier times, a chewing gum was produced from resin inside the bark.
 
     1st Photo: Will Beloe.  Red leaves: Jorge Franganillo