The dark green foliage grows densely on upward-growing branches that give the tree its characteristic pencil-like growth habit. Throughout fall and winter, the balls fall so the tree can prep for new growth in the spring. You want to bring the fruit indoors to complete the process. If you have sweet gum trees in your yard, youve probably noticed the gum balls that fall from them. This tall skinny tree is a Liquidambar styraciflua cultivar with star-shaped, light glossy green leaves and spiky gumballs. It is a beautiful shade or lawn landscaping tree. us and removed two others. In the meantime, Im digging the way they look hanging from the peg rail of my new entryway cabinetry. Sweet gum balls are no match for a powerful lawn vacuum. To make this job faster, have friends, family members and neighbors help you. Additionally, you can blow them into a pile with a leaf blower. The sweetgum Variegata is an unusual type of tree due to its variegated creamy-yellow and green star-shaped leaves. You will have a low-maintenance tree if you grow the 'Rotundiloba' cultivar of American sweetgum. According to Brian Jervis of the Oklahoma Master Gardeners, sweet gum balls make an excellent mulch for gardens. Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. Pick Up Pick up the sweet gum balls by hand while wearing a pair of gardening gloves. Most lawn sweepers are designed to pick up things like leaves, twigs, and small pieces of debris. These tasks were expertly completed at a reasonable price. Im making a foraged fall wreath with supplies from my yard. Professional and reasonably priced. This was the first year my tree showed signs of the disease. They are most commonly found in woodland areas. Ball decorative balls can be used as mulch to keep animals away from young plants and as mulch for beds; they can also be used as spiky mulch to keep young plants alive. Insert the cutting into this hole, gently firming the soil around it. The clusters of bristly tree balls persist on the tree until mid-winter or early spring. The American sweetgum is a tall, deciduous tree with glossy green leaves in summer, best grown for its fall foliage; often, multiple colors (red, orange, yellow, purplish) will be found on the same plant in autumn. Both methods may not be as efficient as a tall grass lawn. It is theoretically possible to eliminate the balls each year but it is a difficult process. American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) bark. Read more. This specimen tree is ideal as a lawn or shade tree. A lawn vacuum is an easy way to remove sweetgum balls because they suck the fallen debris through a tube and into a bag. A sweetgum fruit, which is a sugar ball with two capsules inside, is a candy-like substance. Sweet gum trees are native to North America and are found in the southeastern United States. Its best to hire this service out to a professional. I live in FL and had picked many of them that fell to the ground many years ago from my tree to make a wreath. Sweetgum tree balls: Gum tree balls on the American sweetgum are coppery-brown rounded spiky capsules. Who knew that what I thought was a nuisance in my front yard could be turned into a stunning foraged fall wreath? Oh! Once you have a gumball, you can dispose of it in any way you see fit. To do this, simply pull the hose away from the vacuum. Kelly responded quickly to my online inquiry for service. I think I need to also make her a wreath! Moistening the foliage invites fungal infestation. A dry place is ideal. I hot glued my ribbon to the back of the wreath. These spherical balls have sharp spikes all around them. We have those trees in Southern California, but Ive always known them as liquidambar, never heard the name sweetgum which is much cuter and folksier! Chinese sweetgum seeds and autumn foliage, Changs sweetgum (Liquidambar acalycina) young tree. Another great experience. A moderate, not-too-fast grower, sweetgum trees make magnificent shade trees 60 to 75 feet in height, with clean deep green star-shaped summer foliage. Deer tend to leave American sweetgum alone. Consider saving them for DIY art projects. Heres how to do it: First, gather up the sweet gum balls from your yard. The sweetgum tree attracts a great deal of wildlife including blue jays, cardinals, mourning doves, squirrels, chipmunks, and even luna moths. Once youre finished with that, attach a piece of wire to the back of the wreath to hang it or use a piece of satin ribbon like I did. They will look like this: While the sweetgum balls are rather annoying, the tree does have its redeeming qualities. Thank you so much! (Dont tell the others. Very knowledgeable. Will definitely, Everything was handled very professionally from the initial contact, estimate process to the guys who performed the. They scheduled our tree service and did not notify. The middle lobe is a pronounced triangular shape. Lawn vacuums can be found at most hardware stores including ACE, Lowes, and Home Depot. Each of these seed balls can contain up to 50 seeds. Overall pleased with the work. Sweet gum trees are native to southern Illinois, but can be found all over the United States. American sweetgum trees are not tolerant of shade, so be sure to select a spot in full sun for it. The attractive feature of the Lane Roberts sweetgum is the crimson, nearly black color of the leaves in the fall. These little balls have to ge. Voila! Maintain your yard by removing these ugly sweet gum balls. The beautiful landscaping tree grows up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) high and wide. This will give you an even look. Heres a step-by-step guide to opening a, Read More How To Open A Dyson Ball Vacuum?Continue, Credit: www.homemadebklyn.com If your vacuum cleaner has lost its suction, theres a good chance it has a leak. But did you know that you can compost sweet gum balls? They were recommended by a. colleague and I trusted the person and their judgment. The leaves have a fresh, citrusy scent with sweet overtones. Most people have questions about how to dispose of sweet gum balls, and whether or not they can be composted. In spring, the sweetgum also provides a source of nectar for the ruby-throated hummingbird and other nectar feeders. Theyre difficult to step on, so youll need to wear comfortable shoes if you want to collect them. My husband and I would highly recommend Jackson Tree Service. Is there something we can do to eliminate the production of the sweetgum balls other than removing the tree? American sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua). Im so thankful to my mom for this idea. So quick and easy. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sign up for my newsletter to get the best gardening tips, recipe ideas, design projects, and events going on at Moss Mountain Farm. The shiny green lobed leaves also turn beautiful red and orange colors in the fall. Be sure to wear protective clothing, gloves, and a mask when chemically treating a tree. It is not recommended to compost sweetgum balls whole because they take a long time to decompose. For the same reason, avoid irrigating from above. They know exactly what theyre doing, and they do a great job! We highly recommend Jackson Family Tree Service. And finally, be sure to empty the vacuums bag often, as sweet gum balls can quickly fill it up! Therefore, its a good idea to keep the tree at least 10 ft. (3 m) away from buildings or sidewalks. As with most types of sweetgums that produce spiky balls, the Chinese sweetgum fruit can be a litter problem in the fall. These brown, spiky balls are a hazard to anyone with bare feet, small children and animals. When they cleaned up, they even took the. The American sweetgum tree thrives in USDA growing zones 5 9. Its our secret.) The window for treatment is in the next 2-5 weeks, depending on budding. Sweet Gum seeds and fruit are spiky, brown balls that shed from non-sterile trees in addition to the leaves. Before doing so, send a soil sample to your county extension office. The sweetgum Lane Roberts is an elegant deciduous landscaping tree suitable for small to medium-sized landscapes. I know youre going to find inspiration in what these talented bloggers have created. It can be challenging to tell sweetgum trees apart from some maple tree varieties. Your workman did a fabulous job at I was amazed how thoroughly the yard was cleaned up. There are two main ways you can help control your sweet gums: chopping down the sapling or making indentations into its bark, and both of these methods require an herbicide spray. Their pricing was better than many of the other lawn/tree services we contacted, yet the work done was of the highest quality. Place the balls in a plastic container. The spots appear on top of the leaf. Depending on how tall your tree is, removal can cost between $750 and $2000. To begin, trim the long stems from the Sweetgum balls. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Otherwise, this tree doesn't require pruning. The question on how to pick up sweet gum tree monkey balls remains a mystery for all those who have racked their brains over and over again. You can even make festive bowls out of them, as well as holiday trinkets or balls. Place the collected sweet gum balls in areas where dogs or cats mark their territory on your lawn. In my experience that is about 50% effective at the deck height I run (about 2"). These wreaths are perfect! Someone came to evaluate the tree, and to explain options to me. The beautiful characteristic of the sweetgum Worplesdon is the fiery red leaf color in the fall. Are you looking for an easy and fast way to pick up sweet gum balls? Kelly. Its been a while since Ive posted a craft idea here on Inspired by Charm. I did a little research, however, and found that you can buy Sweetgum balls online, and they are fairly inexpensive. kept me posted when a representative would be at my property to provide an estimate. The ideal time to gather them is after they have turned brown (indicating maturation) but before the fruit has dried. Growing the cultivar eliminates most of the need to rake up gumballs as they fall. Sweetgum trees are identified by their colorful lobed leaves that can be orange, red, yellow, or purple colors in the fall. The attractive green summer foliage, red and orange autumn leaves, and elegant branching give this sweetgum all-year visual appeal. These spiky little sweet gum tree balls are full of nutrients making them a great food for chipmunks, birds, and squirrels. They were always very responsive from getting an estimate to getting the work scheduled and completed. However, their beauty does not come without a price. Then hot glue the Sweetgum balls to the interior of the wreath. Fertilize with compost, manure tea, or an all-purpose fertilizer. First, sweet gum balls are hard and can damage your vacuum cleaner if they get caught in the brushes or other moving parts. Sweet gum trees are native to southern Illinois, but can be found all over the United States. at the treatment and explained each step as well as detailing the products used. At the end they showed us what they'd done and were willing to do what it took to make us happy. Gum balls mature to dark brown and usually remain on the tree through the winter, but can create clean-up problems during the general period of December through April as the clusters fall to the ground. Sweet gum trees are native to southern Illinois, but can be found all over the United States. While some people find these fruits ornamental, most dislike them for the mess they cause when they drop. Native to Kentucky, this tree can grow to over 70 feet tall in full adulthood, meaning you will have a ton of tiny spiky balls haunting your yard. The Chinese sweetgum leaves have three lobes, unlike the typical five to seven of other species. The American sweetgums notable characteristics are the glossy dark green, aromatic leaves, and globular spiny gumballs. This will help you pick up the gum balls quickly and efficiently. The fence had to be dropped in order. I was especially excited about this theme because a few weeks ago when my mom was visiting, I mentioned to her that I didnt love the Sweetgum tree on my property because it drops all of these golf-ball-size balls on everything. Yours look lovely and at least dont have a ton of sand in them like mine did. In autumn landscapes, the American sweetgum is a spectacular tree with bright red, orange, yellow, or purple foliage. Also, the price as more than fair!! These sweet gumballs are a medium to large size tree (65-145 feet or 20-47 meters tall) with a trunk that can reach 6 feet (2 meters) across and can live for up to 400 years. Assuming you would like tips on cleaning your Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal vacuum: Cleaning your vacuum regularly is key to maintaining its suction power and longevity. The fast-growing fastigiate (columnar) tree matures at 50 ft. tall (15 m) and is only 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. Makes picking up sweet gum tree balls a breeze. Drying will be complete typically in 5 to 7 days. Sweetgum trees are identified by their colorful lobed leaves that can be orange, red, yellow, or purple colors in the fall. Some of its other common names refer to its traits: It has star-shaped leaves of 5 to 7 lobes (thus "star-shaped gum"), corrugated bark (thus "alligatorwood"), and some of the branches are "winged," as on winged euonymus, also called "burning bush" (Euonymusalatus), displaying corky flanges. Exceptional customer service. Make a game of picking up sweet gum balls with your children by having a contest to see who can gather the most. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thanks for the work your guys did on Monday at our house. This is a real pain because most of the husks also split open to reveal the nut, so I have to pick up five pieces for every nut that falls. The lady on the phone was very nice3. Thanks Michael!! There are so many great uses for the Sweetgum Balls! They were very professional and neat and worked quickly. One minute you are happily walking down the sidewalk on a beautiful afternoon, and the next minute you are on the ground, clutching your ankle, and yelling a slew of unpleasantries. Can you make sweetgum tree balls without damaging your teeth? flowers that were planted around base of trees. Rake the sweet gum balls into a pile with a standard leaf rake. If you have a sweet gum tree in your yard, you know that the fallen fruit, or sweet gum balls, can be a pain to clean up. Simulate a moisture-retaining greenhouse by placing a clear plastic bag over the pot. Trees that put their energy into growing foliage will have little energy to produce fruit or buds. The Chinese sweetgum is a large shade tree with spiky gumballs, large 3-lobed leaves, and a pyramidal crown that becomes oval-rounded with age. Amber sap oozes from the tree, creating even a bigger mess as it clings to everything. The best location for the tree is far away from the house and any outdoor areas where people will be walking (people have been known to sprain their ankles from walking on the gumballs). were super friendly and kind7. Maybe we can sell the [emailprotected]@##$$% balls and make enough to take the trees down. Chinese sweetgum leaves measure between 3 and 6 (7.5 15 cm) across. Id love for you to share with us at Meraki Link Party. I sent them photos and they sent someone to check out the situation. Here youll find easy recipes, inspiring home decor, holiday inspiration and so much more. Naush. We were out of town and I did not have service therefore did not know they had rescheduled. Sweet gum trees are known for their hard, spiky balls that fall to the ground and can be a pain to clean up. A close-tined rake is an effective way to get rid of balls while also exercising. She loved the deal, and so did we. well as trimmed our trees.This summers big storm caused much tree damage. With its tall, straight stature, streak-patterned wood and glossy leaves that become vibrantly colorful in the fall, sweet gum trees are an attractive addition to any front yard. You will have to correct the soil deficiency to address the chlorosis problem. Chlorosis is often signaled by leaves or leaf veins turning yellow. Other common trees in the Liquidambar genus include the Sweetgum Slender Silhouette (Liquidambar styraciflua Slender Silhouette) and Fruitless Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua Rotundiloba). This is because gum balls are usually too big and heavy for the sweeper to pick up. He has a tree in his front yard that he trims. I want to take a moment to thank you and your staff for such a professional job. Sow the seed outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. This tree produces a massive mess for you to clean up. The gumballs are less ridged, and there is less chance of slipping on the round, hard nuts. University of Kentucky. Interesting! We dont have any sweetgum trees around here or Id be out there popping sweetgum balls into a shopping bag right now to make this very cool wreath! Types of Tree Leaves with Pictures for Easy Identification (Leaf Identification Chart), Live Oak Tree: Leaves, Bark, Fruit (Acorn): Pictures, Identification and Growing Guide, Small or Dwarf Weeping Trees for Landscaping (With Pictures), Smoke Tree: Complete Care Guide (Including Royal Purple Smoke Tree), Sweetgum Trees (Gumball Tree): Types, Leaves Liquidambar Identification Guide (With Pictures), 15 Small or Dwarf Evergreen Trees For Your Garden. Sweetgum Slender Silhouette (Liquidambar styraciflua Slender Silhouette) tree and bark. Thank you very much! The roots of sweetgum tree are relatively shallow. They have removed trees, did stump removal and grinding, as. How, Read More How To Replace The Belt On A Dirt Devil Vacuum?Continue, If you own a Dyson Ball vacuum, you know that its a powerful machine that can make short work of even the most stubborn dirt and debris. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball, Read More How To Clean A Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Vacuum?Continue, To replace the hose on your Dyson Ball vacuum, first disconnect the hose from the wand. So when the theme for this weeks series was presented, I went outside, gathered a bag of those Sweetgum balls, and got to work. Thank you so much! The third method of removing them is to blow them into a pile with a power blower and load them into a bin to be baled. Highly recommend them. Lawn vacuums are a useful tool that can easily remove sweetgum balls from your lawn. You also might be surprised to learn that sweetgum is a host plant for more than 30 species of butterflies and moths. Around here we call them anklebreakers!! You can usually find and repair the leak yourself, without having to take it to a repair shop. When do sweetgum tree balls fall? As with all varieties of sweetgum, grow the Worplesdon in full sun and well-draining soil. Jackson Tree Services Sweetgum Ball Treatment can help the good outweigh the bad. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut. Good communications via email before I signed the. The actual tree trimming was great and they did clean up really well after, which is why I gave them 2 stars. The guys were friendly, polite and professional. Sweet gum balls, according to Master Gardener Brian Jervis of the Oklahoma Master Gardeners, act as a mulch in gardens, allowing air and water to escape the soil below while preventing sunlight from reaching germinating weeds at ground level. The tricky part of using them for propagation is the timing. Once youre done here, be sure to click through all of the links at the end of this post to check out everyones festive projects and spaces. 2021 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thank you. I would definitely recommend Jackson Tree Service and plan to use for future work. These capsules can be easy to slip on while walking and are difficult to clean up. Instead, I received an email on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Do-it-yourselfers and craft enthusiasts value the gumballs for use in Christmas kissing balls, wreaths, potpourri, and dried floral arrangements. Fertilizing your tree with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer will encourage the growth of foliage. The two guys who removed our tree and stump (unbelievable how quickly they did it!) Update: June 2021We used Jackson Tree Service again to remove another tree in our backyard and trim / shape a tree in. When to Put Out a Hummingbird Feeder in Northern Alabama, Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. For example, fertilizers geared to acid-loving plants are often used to lower the soil pH. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Whether you use an 8 or a 10 wreath, I found that youll need two more rows of Sweetgum balls around the top of the wreath. I've used. Faster, and it makes an interesting smell in the house. Those are gorgeous too. They work well for removing other lawn debris too. The tree produces a hard, spiky fruit that falls to the ground in autumn. If you are ready to reduce those pesky sweet gum tree balls by up to 80% this year, call or text Jackson Tree Service! Leaf spot is rarely fatal but inhibits photosynthesis, weakening the tree and rendering it more susceptible to other plant diseases. The spots of the leaf spot fungal disease come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. Continue adding Sweetgum balls with hot glue until you fill the interior of the wreath. The sweet gum tree is a popular landscaping tree found in many yards and parks. Jackson Tree Service. Other common names for the sweetgum tree include liquid amber tree and sugar gum tree. The deep green leaves turn bright red to purple in the fall. Another alternative for you is to cut down the offending tree and plant a fruitless sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua Rotundiloba) in its place. In autumn the pods dry and fall from the tree making sidewalks and lawns treacherous to walk on, especially in bare feet! David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. If I were investing in the Central West End or Tower Grove area I would not be writing this review. 'Rotundiloba' may eventually produce a gumball here or there, but not in a quantity that causes a problem. To answer, click here. Then hot glue the Sweetgum balls to the interior of the wreath. Also called Twainese sweet gum or Formosan gum, this Liquidambar species grows between 100 and 131 ft. (30 40 m) tall. Donate your sweet gum balls to fellow gardeners or crafty neighbors. My trimming was done sooner than scheduled. Haha. Copper nails are often used to treat sweet gum trees. Also, the sweetgum tree drops spiky balls in late winter or early spring. Many regards As a tree native to areas such as Florida, American sweetgum tolerates heat and humidity well. The balls that drop from Changs sweetgum tree are less of a risk to those from the American sweetgum. Another feature of sweetgum leaves is their pleasant aroma when crushed. Similar to other trees, fallen sweetgum balls are dead and seedless. Next, put the sweet gum balls in a compost bin or pile. How To Replace The Belt On A Dirt Devil Vacuum? I would gladly suggest them to anyone who needs a tree service, My experience with Jackson Tree Service was excellent. They are still in a bag waiting for me to do so! A lawn vacuum is a great tool for quickly and easily removing sweet gum balls from your lawn. Creating a home you love is what its all about and Im here to help. Sweetgum tree leaves: American sweetgum leaves are five-pointed star-shaped blades that look like maple leaves. But what do you do when the vacuum itself gets dirty? I contacted Jackson Tree Service to get an estimate for work on an investment property. A great replacement option is a fruitless sweetgum tree such as the roundleaf sweetgum. Place the fruit in a shallow pan. She even texted to inform me of a change of plans due to a major storm and storm damage would need to be addressed before my elective service. Well, there are no effective tools and equipment that propose to help you in picking up the gum . Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good. After a few weeks, check the plant by tugging gently on the cutting. Im thrilled that you found Inspired by Charm. Practice sound garden hygiene. They suggested that since he wasnt home they could just get over there quickly and get it done. American sweetgum is challenging to propagate via cuttings, so propagation via seed is more common. Jackson Tree Service may not be the biggest in St.Louis but they maybe the best!! First, make sure that the sweet gum balls are dry before attempting to vacuum them up. When I called to reschedule the woman in the office said she would call me, closer to the date to reschedule. Another good feature of this plant is that its fall foliage develops later in the autumn, meaning that it gives your landscaping color after the leaves of the maples have fallen. California. Sweetgum trees only begin to flower at maturity around 20-30 years old. In the fall, the attractive leaves turn to shades of yellow and red. Because a sweet gum tree may grow 80 feet tall and hose-end sprayers typically have a maximum good-pressure range of up to 30 feet, spraying a mature sweet gum adequately is difficult for a homeowner. Worse than stubbing your toe, tripping over a dog toy, or stepping on legos; the sweetgum ball is always waiting for its next victim to poke, and removing them should be a top priority! Lawn Care Service (Spring Cleanup Sweet Gum Tree) Today We are doing a spring clean-up on a property that has a Sweet Gum tree. One way is to use a rake. I was very happy. The fruits persist through the winter and attract birds. However, hardy sweetgum trees are also tolerant of drought and can grow well in wet ground. Family owned and operated and the most pleasant and caring company we have worked with in St.Louis! But they're usually dark (or light with a dark border), with a rounded or irregular shape. They earned my business and I'm glad I called. Another alternative for you is to cut down the offending tree and plant a fruitless sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba') in its place. The fact that they are a locally, family owned business got my attention. Completed the work sooner than expected and did a great job with the tree removal including the cleanup! Second, sweet gum balls are sticky and can clog your vacuum cleaner if they get sucked up into the hose. The spiky gumballs hang in clusters. Check out Bag-A-Nut's sweet gum ball harvester. The common name redgum comes from the spectacular red color of the leaves in the fall and the reddish-yellow color of the trees sap. They treat you like they care. Thread a loop of fishing line through the ball to make a holiday ornament. The hard nut-like sweetgum fruits can be a slip hazard if someone steps on them. A distinguishing feature of the Rotundiloba sweetgum is the round-tipped leaflets making up the palmate leaves. Though, now I have a new appreciate for these balls, so I dont mind them as much. Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Leftover crumbs left by two animals, the common grackle and the red-winged blackbird, can be found in their feces. The American sweetgum is a tall ornamental tree with its colorful fall leaves and rounded pyramidal crown. tree down everyone is polite and provides great service. You can whip up this easy and inexpensive craft in under 30 minutes. Each capsule contains one or two small winged seeds. Arent the wreaths beautiful? This is a natural way to repel animals from marking. Then, there is the mess to clear up after the leaves have fallen in the fall and seed capsules in winter. To do this, place a dollop of glue on each ball and firmly but gently press it on the wreath to ensure it adheres. the front. *****, The Jackson Family tree service is really great. A lawn vacuum is a great tool for quickly and easily removing sweet gum balls from your lawn. The messy fruit can cause problems when the balls drop in winter, so its not practical for planting near sidewalks. Jackson had impressive equipment and skill to complete the job flawlessly. The service crew were professional, courteous and did an excellent job. However, their beauty does not come without a price. The unusual tree leaves have double lobbing, making them unique in the Liquidambar genus. I was surprised how well they cleaned up after themselves. Learning how to remove sweetgum balls from your lawn will keep your yard in shape and save your feet from pain. I had a sugar maple tree that I thought was going to have to be removed & some trimming of a cedar tree & holly bush.