Nature's Ornaments (UPDATED)

If you are lucky enough to have a sweet gum tree in your yard or neighborhood, you have nature's ornaments.  They have a perfect little crook in the stem and you can spray them silver, gold or leave them as they are.  Nature is pretty clever I would say!

I was reading old issues of The Herb Companion magazine last night and learned that the American Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is an herbal tree.  It not only produces timber but an aromatic balsam or resin called storax or styrax which is used in medicines, perfumery and in commercial bakery supplies.  It has brilliant fall color and a pleasing shape.  Who knew!  I didn't, but now you do too!