Sweet gum trees have brittle limbs that break and fall unexpectedly.
Other folks dislike the tree because it doesn't make good firewood, since it is difficult to split and rots quickly. Likewise, some woodworkers aren't fond of sweetgum because the wood is difficult to dry straight and unsuitable for carpentry work.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The sweetgum's tall and straight trunk can withstand strong winds and provide a barrier against potential damage. Its dense foliage and wide-reaching branches create a natural windbreak that can shield your home from the harshest gusts.
The Sweetgum can reach heights of 80 to 150 feet with an impressive diameter of 45 feet, if planted in an area with enough room. This tree grows a strong taproot, which helps hold the large tree in place, along with its strong roots. It is resistant to many pests and is adaptable to a variety of soils.
Just like leaves, they must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth. The only difference is sweetgum balls drop all fall and winter.
Sweet gum roots are highly invasive, often growing near the soil surface and damaging sidewalks, pavements, and other infrastructure. The species also produces prolific hard, round fruits that litter the ground and are often a tripping hazard. Sweet gum trees have attractive fall foliage. Sweet gum fruits.
If you're up for some experimenting, sweet gum balls can be used to make a tea from boiling the young green seeds. The resulting decoction is known for its antiviral properties and can be used as a preventative measure against sickness, or as a remedy for the flu (consult your doctor if symptoms persist).
“While there is a risk of falling branches associated with some large old gum trees, their magic and value to people and wildlife alike is undeniable. “Even without sitting directly underneath them, we all enjoy the benefits of their beauty, interest, shade, and shelter.
Other extracts derived from sweetgum trees have shown potential as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and chemopreventive agents. The compounds found in the extracts derived from sweetgum sap suppress hypertension in mice.
Most of the imazapyr based herbicides do a great job of killing sweetgum trees!
Research conducted by University of Florida scientists showed that sand live oaks are the most resistant to wind damage. Other good choices include the Southern magnolia, gumbo limbo, crapemyrtle, bald cypress, and pindo palm. These trees are less likely to lose limbs or blow over during hurricanes.
For fall color, sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is hard to beat. Its glossy green, star-shaped leaves turn fiery shades of red, orange, yellow and purple in the fall.
Sweet gums, often called “gumball” trees, are a nuisance because they annually drop hundreds of round, prickly seed capsules that can be easy to slip on when walking and are difficult to clean up.
While the spiky gumballs of Sweetgum trees are notorious for their lawn litter, they don't pose a toxic threat to your canine companions.
Get to know your tree:
Twigs often have corky wings. Flowers are clustered in small greenish-yellow or reddish balls. Fruits are woody balls consisting of pointed capsules, hang on long stalks, and often persist through winter.
Meyer said tall, skinny trees are more likely to fail in high winds because they catch more wind at a higher area. Tulip Poplars and Maple trees tend to snap, while Oaks and Hickory trees will uproot more easily, he said but it's rare. "That doesn't mean you have to get rid of those species by any means," he said.
But eucalypts also have a deadly reputation. There's an old idiom I still hear every now and then that pops up in relation to eucalyptus trees – 'widow makers'. An old colloquialism not exclusively applied to eucalypts, it is used to describe anything that could quickly kill a man, leaving a widow behind.
One by one, from late fall steadily through the winter, most of the dried out gum balls, long since deprived of their seeds, will drop from the Sweet Gum's branches. The bark of the Sweet Gum, sometimes called Alligator Wood. Liquidambar styraciflua gets its name from the resin the tree produces.
Much of the root system is shallow (particularly in its native, moist habitat), but there are deep vertical roots directly beneath the trunk in well-drained and in some other soils.
First measure the tree's circumference in inches 4½ feet (54 inches) above ground level. This is called CBH or circumference at breast height. Then determine the diameter by dividing the circumference by 3.14 (pi). Then multiply the diameter in inches by the appropriate factor to determine the estimated tree age.
Pruning in April
Frost-damaged branches of the sweet gum can be cut back to the live wood after winter. The best time to do this is in April, when the leaves start to appear. You can then see which sections need to be removed, as no leaves will grow on the affected branches.
Unfortunately, the entire tree must be sprayed each year and spraying at the right flower stage is critical. Most people find the effort too difficult. If you decide to try, you can purchase ethepon (click for sources) . Snipper is an injectable product that de-balls a sweetgum.
In addition to the sap, the leaves, bark, and seeds of sweetgum also possess beneficial compounds such as shikimic acid, a precursor to the production of oseltamivir phosphate, the active ingredient in Tamiflu®-an antiviral drug effective against several influenza viruses.
In late fall when the bright green seed pods have dried, birds including purple finches, chickadees, Carolina wrens, towhees, titmice, dove and juncos consume the seeds; as do, squirrels and chipmunks. Lastly, if you are not a fan of the Sweetgum balls that litter the ground, consider using them as mulch.