The Monday Garden, October 31, 2004, Issue 136
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Big, tall trees, towering giants: in the Northeast those words bring quickly to mind oaks, horse chestnuts, tulips and sweet gums. The American sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), a member of the witch hazel family, is every inch a treasure: a tall, handsome, fast-growing hardwood tree to shade a moist, sunny place, prized for its commercially useful hardwood and gum, and beloved by many critters including the (at least to me) elusive yellowed-bellied sap sucker.
Picture: The American sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) can’t be beat for fall color. First Presbyterian Church Stamford, CT October 2004
Our sweet gum has many common names. Some of the nicest ones are redgum, alligator-wood, starleaf-gum, and satin walnut (the wood, when dyed, resembles black walnut). The Latin “Liquidambar" means “liquid amber” referring to the tree’s fragrant sap. The gum has been used since Pre-Columbian times for flavoring and medicine.
Unlike the maples with their numerous cousins and cross-breeds, which make identification as challenging as a Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle, there are only two or three varieties of sweet gums in the world – the American giant and an Asian cousin or two. It’s easy to recognize our sweet gum in all seasons.
First, look for the round seed balls that look like Star Wars’ battle stars. You’ll find the seed balls hanging on sweet gum tree, and on the ground around the tree, most of the year. The only other local tree with a similar seed ball is the sycamore. Both seed balls are favorite boys’ toys, prefect for throwing at each other and sticking down shirts. In boys’ circles, the sycamore seeds are known as the “itchy balls”, and the sweet gum seeds are the “sticky balls”. For grown ups, the sweet gum seeds are great for dried arrangements. Stepping on the seed balls, though, is a bit painful, so it’s best to plant the trees away from paths where people will be walking barefoot.
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Then, check the leaves. The 5- to 7-pointed star shape is unmistakable, as is the glossy texture. The leaf color is handsome from early spring through fall. Indeed, the tree is often planted just for its outstanding fall color – a single tree can cover the range from yellow to red to burgundy.
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The sweet gum’s shape is also distinct. The young ones are conical. The adults are tall, rounded, and spreading. The big ones, from a distance, resemble maples in outline, except they’re too tall to be maples.
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The American sweet gum can be found along the Atlantic Coast from Connecticut to Nicaragua. It’s also planted in Europe. It likes full sun and grows tallest in the moist bottom lands of the South. It’s the perfect tree to soak up extra water in a damp place but give it lots of room. If you should welcome one into your yard, or be lucky enough to get one as a street tree, be advised that they can be overly enthusiastic, so keep an eye on the seedlings. For those out of the tree’s native range: don’t plant it as it can become invasive in moist conditions in Zone 6 through 9.
As far as the critters go, the sweet gum has few pests and attracts many of the good guys. Some of its friends are: cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches, purple finches, mallard ducks, bobwhite quails, sparrows, towhees, and mourning doves, all of whom like the seeds and the habitat. Squirrels and chipmunks also like the seeds; mice and rabbits are known to browse the young stems.
According to the U.S. Forest Service (which seems to be the Liz Smith of hot woodland gossip), beavers are partial to the wood for constructing dams. Since few of us have beavers lurking in the yard planning their next dam, this should not put you off. However, don’t put a sweet gum too close to the house, since the mature trees can drop big limbs in winter storms. Sweet gums, when mature, will kill the grass with their dense shade and shallow roots, so they are best standing guard over the shade garden, cooling the driveway and sidewalk, or at the pond’s or wood’s edge. The only other consideration in site choice is that the trees need neutral to slightly acid soil and, like the red maple, will develop iron chlorosis of the foliage (leaf goes yellow between the veins) if the soil is too alkaline.
Picture: Newly fallen sweet gum seeds balls in the snow at the tree base, First Presbyterian Church Stamford, CT winter 2003
Now, back to the yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Much of the yellow-bellied sapsuckers’ summer range is north of the sweet gums’ range. However, the sapsucker migrates in winter all the way down to Central America, presumably drawn by sweet gums all long the route.
When I was a kid, I never knowingly saw a yellow-bellied sapsucker but the name was handy for insulting others at the playground. I never saw one (off the playground, that is) ‘cause I was looking for the wrong thing. I was expecting a large bird with a strikingly yellow belly (duh!). However, the label misleads; the belly is a bit yellowish but not strikingly so. Look instead for a bird that looks like the hairy and downy woodpeckers but is slightly larger with a white blaze down the wing. Then, you will see lots of these guys, especially during the spring and fall migrations.
Even if you don’t see any, you will know that the yellow-bellied sapsuckers have been around by the parallel rows of little square holes in the sweet gum’s bark. These sneaky guys drill rows of holes, then return, time and again, to drink the oozing sap and the scarf up the insects attracted by the sap. The yellow-bellied sapsuckers are said to come equipped with brush-like tongues particularly useful for this purpose.
Photo credits: Sue Sweeney © Sue Sweeney 2005
what the readers said recently:
What the readers said :
I enjoyed your pokeberry article. I have been told that there are actual letters from civil war times printed with pokeberry ink that still survive today. Thanks for your weekly letter, Mariellen (CT)
Most enjoyable site..my husband and I manage a feral colony in Nebraska (yes, I live in USA despite my address ;)and are trying to find info everywhere as we're relatively new to the task. Thank-you and kuddos for your helping homeless kitties. Rosalie and Jon (NEB)
Thanks for your article on Sweet Gum trees. When we lived in California we enjoyed them for they brought a little red color to our falls(usually at Thanksgiving). We have several in our yard here in NC. I had heard that the wood from this tree should not be cut for fire wood, as the burning of it puts off toxic fumes. I don't know if this is true or not. Francis (N CA)
I wanted to know If papyrus is poisonous to cats, because my cat hasn't been very well at all and we think it is due to him eating our papyrus. If it's not the papyrus can you tell some other plants that could be poisonous to cats? Lenore [My cats eat papyrus all the time without problem; it's just a form of grass. If they throw up after eating grass, it's to dislodge a hairball. There are many plants that aren't good for cats -- incomplete lists of poisonous houseplants are available form the poison centers and on line-- but if your cat's regularly munching on the plants, have you ruled out hair balls as the underlying problem?.Sue]
Never knew that [about the yellow-bellied sapsuckers]! Before I sold the house in Syosset, I had the good sense to photograph my sweet gums. But for you, I would not have appreciated them so much. Instead, I came to see their great beauty and it's nice to recall them now. Thanks. Barbara (NJ)
Comments (27)
Are sweet gum trees likely to seek drain pipes under a slab foundation of a home?
Posted by Lynn Zidlick | October 22, 2005 6:29 PM
Posted on October 22, 2005 18:29
I've been told that there is a special yard sweeper that can pick up gum balls. Works kind of like the ball catcher at the golf course. Do you have any information on this or any other tools ? Thanks, Bill with two big gum balls.
Posted by Bill | October 31, 2005 10:14 PM
Posted on October 31, 2005 22:14
Lynn -- I'm not an expert arborist but I've heard many say that the trees aren't the problem. For example, here's a quote is from NC State University:
"Tree roots are often incorrectly blamed for plugging and breaking pipes. Roots can not exert enough pressure to crack a pipe. Natural settling, age, and wear cause pipes to crack. Leaking pipes encourage roots to grow into the area and to penetrate through the cracks. As roots increase in size, cracks widen and breaks occur." http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/text/problem_roots.html
And the Ohio State Master Gardeners say: "Tree roots will grow in the path of least resistance. If they grow into a rock, the growth will be redirected. The potential for damage to sewer lines is minimal. Most roots are not that deep. Those that are will not break through a sewer line. Roots will grow into a sewer line only if cracks are already in it. Most roots do not grow where it is constantly wet." http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/mg/manual/woody5.htm
However, if you check the web sites of the local government people responsible for sewer maintenance, they all blame the trees for taking advantage of hairline cracks. They blame some trees more than others but seldom are willing to give a specific list -- they say to ask a horticulturist but then the horticulture people say that the trees aren't the problem....oh, well.
If there's reason to be concerned about pipes, the horticulture experts seem to think it's best to plant all trees far enough from the pipes that so the roots aren't like to invade pipe cracks. They suggest using smaller trees near pipes, just as you would near over head electrical lines. This seems sensible to me.
When choosing a tree and placing it near pipes, remember that most trees root systems extend a good bit beyond the "drip line" . so plant for the tree's anticipated mature width and then some.
As to sweet gum specifically, it is notoriously shallow-rooted so generally blamed more for heaving lawns and sidewalks than clogging pipes but it is a BIG tree, so will extend its roots far and wide. Whether under the home's slab foundation will be the sweet gum's path of least resistance is going to depend on the tree's other choices at the site.
I hope this helps some.
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | November 5, 2005 8:22 PM
Posted on November 5, 2005 20:22
I have heard that "tree doctors" who specialize in treating sick trees can innoculate a sweet gum in order to prevent the forming of the gum ball. Do you know if this is true?
Posted by Mary | January 11, 2006 4:35 PM
Posted on January 11, 2006 16:35
Mary -- It might be possible through a hormone treatment that suppresses the development of the seed pods -- sort of like birth control of trees. Since there are hormone treatments to increase fruit production, stunt growth, etc.,in theory this would work too.
While I sympathize with the sweet gum clean up problem, I'm personally much more concerned about releasing chemicals into the environment. We know that it is economically impossible to adequately test garden chemicals for safely, particularly for safe interaction with all the other chemicals already in the environment. We also know that claims that a chemical will quickly disappate, and therefor cause no lasting harm, have often proven incorrect.
Hope this helps
Sue
Posted by ssweeney | January 11, 2006 5:50 PM
Posted on January 11, 2006 17:50
I'd like to know if there are any laws relating to who's responsiblity it is to clean these things up. My neighbor has a very fruitful tree right over my driveway which is the cause of many twisted ankles. He cleans them up in his yard, why not mine?
Posted by Dalane | January 20, 2006 5:46 PM
Posted on January 20, 2006 17:46
A neighbor cut down a sweet gum tree, I wanted to use it for firewood, is that possible if I dry it well?
Posted by emily | February 23, 2006 10:50 PM
Posted on February 23, 2006 22:50
Emily --
Usability as firewood is not my area, and I certainly haven't tried it but, apparently, sweet gum is used as firewood if properly dried, etc.. Here's a University of Kentucky article about firewood that mentions sweet gum.
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for35/for35.htm
Hope this helps
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | February 24, 2006 10:55 AM
Posted on February 24, 2006 10:55
Emily writes:
I called the Virginia Forestry Dept, at our local level it is Virginia Tech master gardeners dept., and they said it was alright to burn sweet gum as long as it is dried well. Mine will dry all summer to use next winter, so I'm going to go for it. thanks, again.
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | February 26, 2006 8:57 AM
Posted on February 26, 2006 08:57
How, on God's green earth, do you get those stupid gum balls out of the yard? Safely?
Do they pose a threat to pets?
Posted by Amy | February 27, 2006 7:47 PM
Posted on February 27, 2006 19:47
Amy -- LOL! I have heard a great deal of moaning about sweet gum balls but I've never a complaint that they harmed a pet.
I, personally, am not blessed with a sweet gum tree but I think that most people use a heavy-duty rake,and of course, thick gloves.
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | February 27, 2006 8:14 PM
Posted on February 27, 2006 20:14
Amy -- LOL! I have heard a great deal of moaning about sweet gum balls but I've never a complaint that they harmed a pet.
I, personally, am not blessed with a sweet gum tree but I think that most people use a heavy-duty rake,and of course, thick gloves.
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | February 27, 2006 8:14 PM
Posted on February 27, 2006 20:14
I have two sweetgum trees in my front yard, and Id like to know some common methods for controlling the seeds. If left to fall on the ground and collect, they eventually submerge and make for a lumpy and uneven yard, difficult to mow, let alone walk around in. Im thinking some large netting tied to the outer branches, and funnelling the dropped seeds to the trunk area, making them easier to collect. Anything like this done?
Posted by Michael | April 13, 2006 11:20 PM
Posted on April 13, 2006 23:20
Michael -- Even among tree-lovers, sweet gums seem to take the prize for "the most annoying litter". (Choke cherry juice on the new deck might be in second place) For anyone considering planting a sweet gum for the sake of the wonderful foliage, the yellow-bellied sapsuckers, etc., do it in an area that doesn't need to be cleaned up such as an unmowed meadow or above the compost heap.
My cousin-the-techie has suggested the approach you have in mind but using smooth material (e.g old nylon sail) so the seed pods don't get stuck half way down. To my knowledge, no one has perfected sweet gum seed pod removal. If you invent a good system, there's money to be had!
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | April 14, 2006 9:25 AM
Posted on April 14, 2006 09:25
Thanks for the reply Sue. I considered the nylon material, but could see it getting abused by the wind too much. But you're right about the seeds getting stuck in netting, I didnt think about that. After checking prices on large cuts of nylon and netting, Ive resigned myself to the fact that the most cost effective means of dealing with the issue is to simply rake the yard underneath them every so often. If I keep up with it, shouldnt take too long. Its this first thatch-raking job since buying the house last May that is a back and blister-breaker!
Thanks again for your site and response. Nice to see a personally kept website as the internet turns more and more commercial.....
Michael --
The yogis say that raking is good for the soul if done silently and purposefully. I'm sure you know to protect the back by working close in, side-to-side (thumbs up). I also hear that the arm motion is good aerobatics. Raking also, they say, uses more calories than walking.
For the blisters, I buy the washable brown jersey knit work gloves by the dozen on the web for a dollar or so a pair and cut the tips of the fingers off. Lined ones for winter and unlined for summer. They wash well and are very comfortable.
Hopefully, while you're out there mediating with the rake, you will discover a "cure" for sweet gum pods,other than acceptance. If you do, please don't forget to share it with TheMondayGarden.com readers.
At least, you'll be outside enjoying the beauty of your tree. Let me know if the yellow-bellied sapsucker comes by.
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | April 14, 2006 11:01 AM
Posted on April 14, 2006 11:01
I found your comments while surfing because of a tv program about how a sweet gum tree planted 75 ft from a home caused major foundation problems for a home. It cracked everything from the pool to the front of the home because of the intrecut network of roots even thought he tree was cut down 2 yrs prior to the problems.I have a 9 yr old sweet gum about 15 ft from the front of my home & only 6 ft from the sidewalk. I am very concerned. I was totally unaware of this issue. Should I be so worried? Please advise. if it makes a difference I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth, Tx area.
Thank you! Connie Hall
Posted by connie hall | June 10, 2006 11:53 PM
Posted on June 10, 2006 23:53
I also just saw this show about the sweet gum tree and its root system ruining the foundation, etc of that home on tv show. Could you please forward any info that you find to me? I would appreciate it.
Posted by jill hontz | June 11, 2006 9:56 AM
Posted on June 11, 2006 09:56
Connie --
I am not a professional arborist and you now have the same information that I have. If you hadn't yet planted, I'd say make another choice.
But you've already put several years into the tree, so it's a tougher call. Since trees don't grow all that fast, you've got a bit of time to make up your mind and seek advise form local experts. For example, you may have a town tree warden or there may be a knowledgeable arborist with the County Extension Service.
Hope this helps
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | June 11, 2006 10:02 AM
Posted on June 11, 2006 10:02
I saw this show too on 6-10-06. The "victims" had liquidamber (sweetgum) trees planded approximately 75 feet from their house in Southern California. The liquidamber roots totally destroyed their pool, and foundation of thier home. Their home was basically ha total loss. The "expert" on the program said this was a "worst case scenario," of liquidamber root problems. However, he did say that liquidamber trees are a "big problem" in Southern California.
Well. . . I am freaking out. I live in Northern California, and I have 4 liquidamber trees planed 70-90 feet from my home. The are approximately 9 years old. Should I be raising holy hell with my homeowner's association to have them removed?
Posted by J. Mitchell | June 11, 2006 7:27 PM
Posted on June 11, 2006 19:27
J. --
I can't say whether the TV show was accurate for the average case or mere sensationalism for its own sake.
All across the USA, if you check the web sites of the people responsible for keeping the sewers clean (eg. Water Dep't, Highways), they are full of horror stories about most kinds of trees-- you'd think that trees were an evil form of the Ents from Lord of the Rings, committing slow-motion mayhem on City property. However, if you walk down the streets of our towns, you'll see the street trees are calmly shading the streets and the sidewalks are usually (pretty much) in one piece.
What I do know is trees don't grow all that fast so that the sweet gums aren't going to eat your home this week. You can take a reasonable amount to time to consider the problem.
The show has certainly raised a great deal of interest in the subject. Hopefully, over the summer, arborists and homeowners in CA will have a chance to think this through, before getting out the chain saw.
Hope this helps and keep me posted
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | June 12, 2006 7:57 AM
Posted on June 12, 2006 07:57
I hate my gum ball tree. It is huge, and I would sacrifice every bit of wonderful shade not to have to step on or constantly rake, pick out of pool or mow across those nasty bothersome gumballs. argh! How much does it cost to fell a tree about 30' high?
Posted by bsmith | July 9, 2006 9:32 PM
Posted on July 9, 2006 21:32
I have a sweetgum tree I planted last year. It doesn't seem to be growing like I would expect. I thought that this year the branches would start to extend, but the leaves are simply sprouting from the tree at the buds and staying there. The leaves seem pretty large and reasonably healthy. My other trees seem to be doing well this year, but this one seems stuck in a rut. Any ideas on why this might be happening?
Thanks-
Jim D
Posted by Jim | July 18, 2006 8:56 PM
Posted on July 18, 2006 20:56
I was reading the postings about cleaning up pods and suggest you check out the nut wizard http://www.nutwizard.com/ for clean up. I like it better than a rake. It still takes work to clean up the sweet gum balls but I enjoy it more. It will pick up black walnuts, apples, acorns and hickory nuts too. There are different sizes.
Posted by Charlotte Waltz | July 19, 2006 9:25 PM
Posted on July 19, 2006 21:25
It seems that lots of people agree with you on the joys of a sweet gum near the house.
Unfortunately, it is expensive to take down a large tree -- depending on the area of the country and the difficulty of the job, it could be a few thousand dollars. Then you have to replace the tree with a new smaller one, baby the new tree for two years, and then wait several years until it matures.
When you add up the costs, it might be cheaper to pay a neighborhood teen to spend an hour picking up the balls twice a week.
However, if your heart is set on tree mayhem, despite the feeling of your yellow-bellied sapsucker, sometimes, you can get a better price from the tree cutter if you have the work done in the off-season.
Best way to start is to get an estimate from a couple of arborists in your area, and ask about off-season work. Tree removal is dangerous work. Make sure you're working with licensed, bonded professionals.
Let me know what you decide.
Sue
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | July 24, 2006 3:24 PM
Posted on July 24, 2006 15:24
Jim --no, sorry, I don't. I've never had the privilege of watching a young sweet gum grow up. Have you checked with the seller to see if this is a normal growth pattern in the seller's view?
Posted by S. W. Sweeney | July 27, 2006 10:13 AM
Posted on July 27, 2006 10:13
I have 5 of these trees. It takes me about 8 hours about 4 times a year to clear my yard of the gumballs. I hate the work and I never get them all up. I was wondering if I sprayed Roundup on the trunk of the tree if that would kill the trees? Then maybe I could get the insurance company to remove them.
Posted by mike | August 12, 2006 12:13 PM
Posted on August 12, 2006 12:13
Before you even think about using a killer chemical , please do everyone a favor and do a Google search for herbicide + cancer.
Also, check these two sites for products that will make the sweet gum ball clean up much easier www.nutwizard.com and www.seedsandsuch.com.
While I understand your frustration with sweet gum, the nut sweeper is a better solution than potentially hazardous chemicals, let alone messing with the insurance company.
Good luck
Sue
Posted by Susan Sweeney | August 13, 2006 11:56 AM
Posted on August 13, 2006 11:56