Often thought of as a southern tree, the Liquidambar styraciflua defies expectation, stretching its roots far north into the soil of New York City. Once known to Indigenous peoples as Ocotzocuahuitl—the tree that gives pine resin—its sap was chewed to calm the nerves. A practice later commercialized by Americans into chewing gum. Hence the tree’s common name—the Sweetgum.
Today, the Sweetgum is valued not for its resin, but for its resilience. It thrives in the urban environments—Adapting to salted streets, unforgiving soil, and relentless change—the perfect tree for New York City.
Sweet/Gum is a project by Pat Dee, a photographer based in NYC, from 2020-2024.