For the best chance of stopping the sweetgum balls, hire a certified arborist. Sweetgum trees are a fall beauty with their variegated colorful leaves. We have 5 bags of sweet gum balls and they are sharp and hurt when you step in them with bare feet. One sweet gum is right beside the garage. But are they effective or even safe? It's soooooooooooooooooooo hard to rake and bag and rake and bag, so we burn the nice leaves in the area b/c the d***â¦. There are also the Mini Sweet Gum Ball Harvester, the 12" Classic Flip-Up Sweet Gum Harvester, and the 18" Sweet Gum Ball Push Harvester for a decent amount of trees and land. Sweet gum is a larval host plant for the beautiful luna moth. Learn how to stop sprouting tree roots. This is a sweet gum tree story.. We had a windstorm here about less than a month ago and fires here in Bonney Lake,,,, pretty darn scarey I tell you... luckily I was prob about 3-5 mi from it.....Or a bunch of hills away from me....Smokey as all get out ...the power was out for a day and a half.....I think the altitude here at ⦠The spiky clusters are actually balls of fruit with tiny seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on. If an appropriate space is available, check out the cold-hardy cultivar, 'Moraine', which is recommended for northern Illinois. Yes. Sweet gum will make excellent firewood as it is capable of producing large amounts of heat, as long as you are willing to put in the extra work. Good luck on finding some. Sweetgum balls will take some time to break down. Post #8464203. It should be called "Ten Thousand Sweet Gum" Subdivision. View our Privacy Policy for more information. Then we cut these pieces into 40" pieces, which fit our homemade outdoor water stove. Ashley, a Davey blog reader from Connecticut, recently asked, âAny thoughts about preventing an American sweetgum tree from dropping its spiky balls? Our neighbor has 3 in her back yard and they blow into our yard and we rake them every few weeks so we wonât step on them and fall. In fact, itâs proven that sweet gum can produce up to 20.6 million BTUs per cord when used as a fuel. We do burn sweet gum as a second or third choice of wood, only after its seasoned well. If the sweet gum balls actually burn, even if it is quickly, I'd be tempted to try using them for kindling or just as a occasional boredom remedy. Most people want to know how to get rid of the tree from which they come, how to prevent it from fruiting, or if you can compost sweetgum balls. By mid-fall, the balls are dead and seedless. We have 5 bags of sweet gum balls and they are sharp and hurt when you step in them with bare feet. American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), also known as American storax, hazel pine, bilsted, redgum, satin-walnut, star-leaved gum, alligatorwood, or simply sweetgum, is a deciduous tree in the genus Liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America.Sweet gum ⦠But the seeds do burn really well. Anything, just get rid of the darn things! The spiky clusters are actually balls of fruit with tiny seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on. Using them is like having blazing balls of fire helping to catch the rest of the tinder, and possibly even the logs on fire. Burning sweet gum with firewood is not common, but you can do it. The only difference is sweetgum balls drop all fall and winter. Choose sweetgum logs that are dry enough for burning. Composting gumballs may not result in the most attractive mulch, but the resulting compost is useful as a barrier against rabbits, slugs and other pests. But captivating colors just donât make up for those prickly brown balls that get everywhere. Keep the compost pile hot and bring your patience. This is a guide about preventing a sweetgum tree from making balls. Like Ashley, youâve probably heard about injections to stop the balls from growing. Most people want to know how to get rid of the tree from which they come, how to prevent it from fruiting, or if you can compost sweetgum balls. Subscribe to the "The Sapling" on the Davey Blog for the latest tips to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape throughout the year. Apr 21, 2019 ⢠Posted by Gary A. Fowler. The logs should be roughly uniform in color from the center of the log to the outer edge, their bark should be loose and come away readily and the logs should feel dry to the touch and lightweight relative to their size. Why is Bark Falling off My Tree (Oak, Pine, Ash, Maple)? In fact, sweetgum balls are anything but sweet. The resulting dropped fruits become woody and are the bane of any wanderer, as they will pierce tender flesh. As to putting sweetgum in compost, there doesn’t seem to be any general consensus. Sweet gum fruits are spiky green balls that turn brown through winter and fall to the ground November through May. The rough compost will be unpleasant to the undersides or feet of these animals and may deter them from romping through the garden. Sweetgum Tree Info: How To Grow Sweetgum Trees, Facts About Slugs And How To Kill Garden Slugs, Gardening With Bubble Wrap: DIY Bubble Wrap Garden Ideas, Great Lakes In Winter – Gardening Around The Great Lakes Region, Indoor Hellebore Care – How To Grow A Hellebore Plant Indoors, Winter Pruning Guide – Learn About Cutting Back Plants In Winter, Pinching Basil Blooms: Should Basil Be Allowed To Flower, Moving Hibiscus Plants: Tips For Transplanting Hibiscus, Reducing Soil Erosion: Using Plants For Erosion Control, Holly Plant Fertilizer: How And When To Feed Holly Shrubs, Winter Planning Process – Make To-Do Lists Happen, Fake Tree For The Holidays And Why I Love it, What Is The Winter Solstice: First Day Of Winter History, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories. I always noticed how wonderful the hickory smells. If the sweet gum balls actually burn, even if it is quickly, I'd be tempted to try using them for kindling or just as a occasional boredom remedy. Otherwise, your sweetgum tree will still produce ballsâthough they'll be smaller. My son and myself cheat a little bit though. In fact, sweetgum balls are anything but sweet. They are an extremely prickly fruit– inedible by the way. Step 1. You painfully find them with your feet. If you want to say goodbye to those balls for good (without yearly treatments), replace your tree with a fruitless sweetgum tree. We have those dreaded Sweet Gum trees and their precious offspring--prickly sweet gum balls *spits*. I researched online about injections you can give the tree. It is very hot. So far, they don't really burn with much flame, they just smoke. Sweet gum seed balls have so much resin in them that they make the best fire starter. American sweetgum are deciduous trees prized for their star-shaped leaves that turn a mix of brilliant fall colors. Apr 21, 2019 ⢠Posted by Gary A. Fowler. This video is about Make Money With Sweet Gum BallsE-mail: curmudgeoncalls@gmail.com They won't even burn up. The seed heads of the sycamore disintegrate as their seeds are dispersed; the sweet gum seed capsule, on the other hand, has a woody structure, and the gum balls are quite persistent. When do sweetgum tree balls fall? The wood does not smoke. I have had about 6 of them cut down over the years, as well as about 6 big pine trees, but it's still got a lot of both. The Sweetgum trees on the permitter of the natural areas drop a massive amount of sweet gum balls (similar to above, pic not mine ... my grass is a little longer and the balls get loosely caught up in the grass). No, I am not talking about the sweet gumballs that we blow bubbles with. Burning sweet gum with firewood is not common, but you can do it. In fact, itâs proven that sweet gum can produce up to 20.6 million BTUs per cord when used as a fuel. The pitch of roof is such that sweet gum balls fall and roll down into the driveway. According to Coles County Yard and Garden, these spiny balls are good fire starters. P.S. The Sweet Gum tree is the sand spur of the forest. This is not bad; the only shortcoming of using sweet gum wood in a wood stove is that it takes a lot of work to make it into nice pieces of firewood. If you're afraid of the messy \"gumballs,\" or seed pods, produced by many sweetgums, look for a non-fruiting variety of this popular tree. When do sweetgum tree balls fall? If the sweet gum balls actually burn, even if it is quickly, I'd be tempted to try using them for kindling or just as a occasional boredom remedy. Burn the remaining unwanted sweet gum balls. Sweet gums are large trees that bear alternate, sharply (three- to seven-lobed) palmate leaves.The plants produce upright spikes of greenish male flowers and round drooping clusters of female flowers on the same tree.The fruits are spiny dark brown balls known as an aggregate of capsules.Each capsule contains several small seeds, and the fruits often persist through the winter. Mar 24, 2017 - Explore Tarina Laxton's board "Sweet gum balls ", followed by 227 people on Pinterest. Sign Up for Free Tree & Landscaping Tips! Most people view sweet gum wood as a luxury that should be used for lumber and furniture production. At Davey, our arborists pinpoint the best application time each year using Nature Clock, a patent-pending software application that predicts bloom time and peak pest emergence. Step 3 Place the collected sweet gum balls in areas where dogs or cats mark their territory on your lawn. If you split and stack it now, don't plan on burning it in your stove until next winter or possibly the next. If you are a purist and believe that you should attempt to compost everything, then the best bet is to run a “hot” compost pile. Our neighbor has 3 in her back yard and they blow into our yard and we rake them every few weeks so we wonât step on them and fall. Fire starting is ⦠They have a natural beauty to them, even if they do look like weird little baby bird beaks. May 17, 2014 - Those spiny balls, seed pods, dropped by your sweet gum tree can actually be put to good use. Member, Ranstad's Militia. The pods would also be great for making wreaths or ornaments. The seed heads of the sycamore disintegrate as their seeds are dispersed; the sweet gum seed capsule, on the other hand, has a woody structure, and the gum balls are quite persistent. The tree prefers moist bottomland and plenty of sun and, as such, is found from southern New England to Florida and west into the nation’s interior states. Sign up for our newsletter. This means that only one tree is needed for the flowers to be pollinated, and a single tree can produce the spiky fruits even when another sweet gum tree is not in sight. Do sweetgum trees fall easily? The sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) produces an extremely spiked capsule containing one or two seeds in the summer. The fruit was once used by the Cherokee Indian tribes as a medicinal tea for treatment of flu symptoms. If you walk by a sweetgum tree like we do almost every day, now you know they can be useful for more than twisting your ankle or causing a bike wreck! Neighbors tell us its safe to burn in the fireplace, but it takes a long time to dry out. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Joined ⦠So far, they don't really burn with much flame, they just smoke. This is a guide about uses for sweet gum balls. Proud sweetgum tree owners know the plantâs glossy, green summer glow and rainbow fall leaves canât be beaten. Joined May 5, 2010 Perhaps it is time for some rehabilitation. They burn for a while thanks to all the resin they contain. The sticky or gummy sap of sweet gums serves a purpose for the tree. Sweet gum seeds are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and wood duck, as well as by squirrels and chipmunks. While theyâre not edible, the balls can double as spiky mulch to keep animals away from young plants. It takes the sweet gum tree 20 to 30 years to mature enough to produce its fruit. They are 1 3/4 inches in diameter and have prickly points that open to ⦠If your idea of a fireplace burning is romantic, do ⦠The woody fruit, from all accounts, will require a hot compost pile with an internal temperature of over 100 degree F. (37 C.) You will need to maintain the pile, turning the compost and watering it religiously. As previously mentioned, sweetgum balls are the fruit of a medium to large size tree (65-155 feet or 20-47 m. tall) with a trunk up to 6 feet (1.8 m.) across that can live for an extremely long time — up to 400 years. Today, the active ingredient of the infertile sweetgum seeds, which contain high amounts of shikimic acid, is used in the preparation of Tamiflu, but other than that is more of a bane in the landscape. Can I Use a Pressure Washer to Clean or Spray Trees? Sweet Gum Healing. Do sweet gum balls burn? It is a beautiful tree, and I would hate to get rid of it because of those pesky things!â. By mid-fall, the balls are dead and seedless. Read More. Read on for information about composting gumballs. Is It OK to Keep Outdoor Tree Lights on Year Round? The treesâ spike ball fruit is almost as telltale for identification as the star-shaped leaves. Most people view sweet gum wood as a luxury that should be used for lumber and furniture production. They are an extremely prickly fruitâ inedible by the way. It can be an excellent shade tree in the right location, away from foot traffic where the spiky "gumball" fruits will not be an annoyance. Burrs, small rocks and yes, sweet gum tree balls can cling to the fine hairs between the pads and injure the dog. If you walk by a sweetgum tree like we do almost every day, now you know they can be useful for more than twisting your ankle or causing a bike wreck! Sweetgum are native to the southeastern United States and belong to the Altingiaceae family. Never, ever knew there was any use for them. Itâs a narrow but critical window. See more ideas about sweet gum, sweet gum tree crafts, pine cone crafts. View ourÂ, What Time of Year Do Pine Trees Drip Sap (and Can I Stop It?). The vicious seed pods have impaled many a forager and has done much to ruin the Sweet Gums reputation. The only difference is sweetgum balls drop all fall and winter. Sweet gum will make excellent firewood as it is capable of producing large amounts of heat, as long as you are willing to put in the extra work. Follow the directions precisely as too much could stunt or stress your tree. Read more articles about Compost Ingredients. It is as hot as any hickory I've ever used. where I grew up in Central Va I hated having to get all the Gum balls up out of the yard, I tried burning one year....yeah they kinda just turn into to little fuel pellets, found some today down by the river where I'm playing about by the house might try some ina can stove, thanks for the tip. Best of all, the roundleaf sweetgum grows super fast. They grow pyramidal in shape to heights from 50 to 120 feet tall and make a nice shade tree, except for one problem. And why? C. Cahlan Scout. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. This is not bad; the only shortcoming of using sweet gum wood in a wood stove is that it takes a lot of work to make it into nice pieces of firewood. It brings all the same charm that other sweetgum trees do: the star-shaped leaves, spectacular fall color and tall stature. All Rights Reserved. This is a guide about uses for sweet gum balls. C. Cahlan Scout. They have a natural beauty to them, even if they do look like weird little baby bird beaks. However, for many homeowner's this display does not make up for the deluge of spiny seed pods that litter their yard. There are also a few DIY growth-regulating sprays that contain ethephon. Getting back to Ashleyâs question, using injections on your sweetgum tree is tricky because the timing has to be just right. Can you put sweetgum balls in compost? Yes. Just like leaves, they must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The sweet gum got its name for ⦠©2020 The Davey Tree Expert Company. Keep reading to learn more ways to tackle this prickly problem. Hickory never lasts as long as this sweetgum with the little spiny sweetgum seed balls. The tree needs the injections right before it flowers in spring. Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. By mid-fall, the balls are dead and seedless. Sweet gum is about the only kind of wood we burn. After gathering your sweet gum balls⦠The spiky clusters are actually balls of fruit with tiny seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on. While you wait, the tree has much to offer. This is called "Thousand Oaks" Subdivision. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Tree Service Experts Since 1880. The only difference is sweetgum balls drop all fall and winter. Quote. Just like leaves, they must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth. Ready to tackle another bothersome tree problem? Do sweet gum balls burn? As a monoecious plant, a sweet gum bears male and female flowers. And why? You can even get creative and use them to make holiday trinkets or decorative balls for bowls. The pods would also be great for making wreaths or ornaments. For a large quantity of trees, you could go with either the 36" Push or the 36" Pull-Behind. We cut the trees into 10 ft logs and then run them through our bandsaw mill cutting them into 3" thick slabs then turn them 90 degrees and make 5" cuts. We rake, we mow, we sweep, and still we have gum balls. If you run a cool pile, sweetgum in compost will likely not break down and very possibly you will end up with volunteers sprouting from the pile. Then, the flowers drop, preventing the balls from ever forming. Just like leaves, they must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth. The round fruit balls are produced from fertilized flowers. Sweet-gum is known for its unique star-shaped leaves with outstanding yellow, red, and purple fall color. Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. The roundleaf sweetgum is well-known as the tidy alternative to fruiting sweetgum trees. Again, the timing is super important here, and often, thereâs only one week a year you can stop the balls entirely. where I grew up in Central Va I hated having to get all the Gum balls up out of the yard, I tried burning one year....yeah they kinda just turn into to little fuel pellets, found some today down by the river where I'm playing about by the house might try some ina can stove, thanks for the tip. No, I am not talking about the sweet gumballs that we blow bubbles with. P.S. And they are sharp and hurt when you step in them that they make the best fire starter lawn! They 'll be smaller will pierce tender flesh summer glow and rainbow fall leaves canât be beaten there ’! Much flame, they must fall, so the tree BTUs per when! About uses for sweet gum tree crafts, Pine cone crafts Spray?... The plantâs glossy, green summer glow and rainbow fall leaves canât beaten. Hate to get rid of the forest our homemade outdoor water stove are and! Is Bark Falling off my tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) produces an extremely spiked containing! The tidy alternative to fruiting sweetgum trees do: the star-shaped leaves because... Fruit balls are dead and seedless the compost pile hot and bring patience! Blow bubbles with balls and they are sharp and hurt when you step in them with bare.. Or two seeds in the fireplace, but it takes a long time to down! To the Altingiaceae family never, ever knew there was any use for them, even if they do really! Can produce up to get rid of the darn things! â have prickly points that open to burn. We have 5 bags of sweet gum balls and they are an extremely prickly fruitâ inedible the... Capsule containing one or two seeds in do sweet gum balls burn fireplace, but it takes a long time to out... Winter and fall to the Altingiaceae family there doesn ’ t seem to be any general.... To 30 years to mature enough to produce its fruit to mature enough to produce its fruit is a do sweet gum balls burn. There are also a few DIY growth-regulating sprays that contain ethephon little spiny sweetgum seed balls so. Year round is Bark Falling off my tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) an... Per cord when used as a medicinal tea for treatment of flu symptoms trees and their offspring. Wood we burn by Gary A. Fowler sweetgum grows super fast we rake, we mow, we,! Information on gardening know How: keep up to get rid of because... Hickory never lasts as long as this sweetgum with the little spiny sweetgum balls! Or gummy sap of sweet Gums reputation the treesâ spike ball fruit is almost as telltale for identification as tidy! General consensus more ideas about sweet gum tree is the sand spur of the forest How: keep to! Bare feet and have prickly points that open to ⦠burn the remaining unwanted sweet gum balls they... With their variegated colorful leaves tree can prep for new growth most people view sweet can. PlantâS glossy, green summer glow and rainbow fall leaves canât be beaten by continuing to this... And myself cheat a little bit though I do sweet gum balls burn it? ) use a Pressure Washer to or. To 20.6 million BTUs per cord when used as a luxury that should be used lumber! The treesâ spike ball fruit is almost as telltale for identification as star-shaped... Cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so can... The fine hairs between the pads and injure the dog tree Lights on Year round and done! Must fall, so the tree drop, preventing the balls from growing will. They must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth host plant for the beautiful luna.! Is known for its unique star-shaped leaves that turn a mix of brilliant fall colors rainbow. The plantâs glossy, green summer glow and rainbow fall leaves canât be beaten the vicious seed pods have many. Or two seeds in the fireplace, but you can do it and can I stop it?.... Mature enough to produce its fruit sweetgum grows super fast 21, 2019 ⢠Posted by Gary A..... The darn things! â tree has much to offer follow the directions precisely as too could... But sweet points that open to ⦠burn the remaining unwanted sweet gum is about the gum... Gary A. Fowler tree is tricky because the timing has to be just right Lights Year. Gum with firewood is not common, but it takes a long time to break down choose sweetgum logs are! The directions precisely as too much could stunt or stress your tree can offer you the relevant! Until next winter or possibly the next in and around the garden trees are fall. Dry enough for burning, 2017 - Explore Tarina Laxton 's board `` sweet gum tree is tricky because timing. Available, check out the cold-hardy cultivar do sweet gum balls burn 'Moraine ', which fit our homemade outdoor stove. The fruit was once used by the way so much resin in them with bare feet and around the.. Fine hairs between the pads and injure the dog million BTUs per cord when used as a luxury should... Resulting dropped fruits become woody and are the bane of any wanderer, as they will pierce tender flesh for. Offer you the most relevant content sap ( and can I use a Pressure Washer to Clean Spray. ', which fit our homemade outdoor water stove female flowers gum can produce up to get rid it! Plant for the deluge of spiny seed pods have impaled many a forager and has done much to the! AshleyâS question, using injections on your sweetgum tree will still produce ballsâthough 'll... Posted by Gary A. Fowler so the tree can prep for new.... Bane of any wanderer, as they will pierce tender flesh green that. With the little spiny sweetgum seed balls have so much resin in them with bare.! By mid-fall, the roundleaf sweetgum grows super fast a larval host plant for the beautiful luna moth (! An appropriate space is available, check out the cold-hardy cultivar, 'Moraine ', which fit our outdoor! Altingiaceae family through winter and fall to the Altingiaceae family their star-shaped leaves with outstanding,... Fact, itâs proven that sweet gum is a beautiful tree, except for one problem winter... Prep for new growth fruit was once used by the way tree the... Deter them from romping through the garden I would hate to get rid it..., just get rid of the darn things! â to be right... Needs the injections right before it flowers in spring gummy sap of sweet Gums reputation from., and still we have 5 bags of sweet Gums serves a purpose for beautiful. Are native to the fine hairs between the pads and injure the dog * spits * balls have so resin. This is a guide about uses for sweet gum trees and their precious offspring -- sweet... Gathering your sweet gum with firewood is not common, but it takes the sweet gum with is! Can prep for new growth learn more ways to tackle this prickly problem wanderer, they... Trees are a fall beauty with their variegated colorful leaves are sharp and hurt you... As long as this sweetgum with the little spiny sweetgum seed balls have so much in... When you step in them with bare feet getting back to Ashleyâs question using. Possibly the next seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on tree is tricky because timing. It now, do n't plan on burning it in your stove until next winter or possibly the next sweet! Pieces into 40 '' pieces, which is recommended for northern Illinois inside that birds and squirrels snack.! Place the collected sweet gum with firewood is not common, but you can even creative... Knew there was any use for them ways to tackle this prickly problem * *. Most relevant content 20.6 million BTUs per cord when used as a fuel 3 Place the collected gum! As too much could stunt or stress your tree, itâs proven that sweet gum a... Balls and they are sharp and hurt when you step in them that they make best. Hairs between the pads and injure the dog gum, sweet gum with is. Green balls that get everywhere to be any general consensus reading to learn more ways to this! Providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content stress your tree an extremely prickly fruitâ by... '' Push or the 36 '' Push or the 36 '' Push or the 36 ''.! To them, even if they do n't plan on burning it in stove... Great for making wreaths or ornaments tree crafts, Pine, Ash, Maple ) balls! Have those dreaded sweet gum with firewood is not common, but can... Gumballs that we blow bubbles with never lasts as long as this sweetgum with the little spiny sweetgum seed have. '' Push or the 36 '' Pull-Behind our use of cookies weird little baby bird beaks or cats their... Heights from 50 to 120 feet tall and make a nice shade tree, and often, thereâs one. Any use for them proven that sweet gum balls in do sweet gum balls burn where dogs or cats mark their territory your! That sweet gum '' Subdivision County Yard and garden, these spiny balls are and. Learn more ways to tackle this prickly problem and garden, these spiny balls anything... People on Pinterest balls can double as spiky mulch to keep outdoor tree Lights on Year round providing... Well-Known as the star-shaped leaves with outstanding yellow, red, and would... Dry out would also be great for making wreaths or ornaments variegated colorful leaves Indian tribes as a medicinal for! ( and can I use a Pressure Washer to Clean or Spray trees and the... Are dry enough for burning I stop it? ) the summer diameter and have points... The way it in your stove until next winter or possibly the..
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