Sweet gums are so called because they exude a fragrant yellow resinous gum.. The tree is known by a wide variety of names, among them alligator-tree and alligator wood (probably a reference to the warty knobs on the tree's bark), incense tree and liquidambar.
What is asbestos? Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Because of these properties, asbestos has been used in commercial products such as insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, and wallboard materials.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. Learn about vermiculite and asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant.