Species guide

American gum

Latin name

Liquidamber styraciflua

Other Common names

Redgum, sapgum, sweetgum

Distribution

The gums are an important part of the Eastern hardwood forests, and are found throughout the South Eastern USA.

General Description

The sapwood of American gum tends to be wide and is white to light pink, while the heartwood is reddish brown, often with darker streaks. The wood has irregular grain, usually interlocked, which produces an attractive grain figure. It has a fine uniform texture.

Working Properties

The wood is easy to work, with both hand and machine tools. It nails, screws and glues well, takes stain easily and can be sanded and polished to an excellent finish. It dries rapidly with a strong tendency to warp and twist. It has a large shrinkage, and is liable to movement in performance.

Physical Properties

American gum is moderately hard, stiff and heavy and has a low steam bending classification.

Durability

Rated as non-resistant to heartwood decay and liable to insect attack. The heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

Availability

USA:
Readily available, often separated for colour and sold as sapgum (sapwood) and redgum (heartwood).

Export:
Limited in some markets due to low demand. Increasingly popular.

Main Uses

Cabinet making, furniture parts, doors, internal joinery, strips and mouldings, turning and rail ties. Good substitute for walnut when stained.

Grading

Often sold as sapgum with no colour specification or red gum which will yield heartwood (red) clear cutting yield.

Technical statistics

Specific Gravity (12% M.C.):	0.52
Average Weight (12% M.C.):	545 kg/m3
Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.):	12%
Modulus of Elasticity:	11,308 MPa
Hardness:	3781 N