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Message
Sweet Gum Tree Dropping Branches
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:55 am
Posted on 8/15/19 at 9:55 am
I have a large mature sweet gum tree right next to my house. In the past few weeks (really since Barry) it has dropped 3 large branches. One hit my roof and caused some damage, the others landed in the yard. The branches are breaking at the trunk of the tree
Should I consider cutting this tree down, or am I just being paranoid?
Should I consider cutting this tree down, or am I just being paranoid?
Posted on 8/15/19 at 10:05 am to modes
Yes, consider cutting it down. They are trash trees anyway, and could be hollow inside.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:05 pm to modes
Definitely think about getting removed
I wouldn’t say they are trash trees at all. They are prone to dropping leaves and debris so I’d never plant it
I wouldn’t say they are trash trees at all. They are prone to dropping leaves and debris so I’d never plant it
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:17 pm to modes
It’s likely healthy. I’ve had several arborists tell me “that’s just what sweet gums do.” With that said, I’d cut it down. All they do is drop leaves, balls and limbs. I have 2 in my backyard that I can’t wait to be removed
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:22 pm to modes
It's a shite tree and you should eradicate your yard of all sweet gum trees and the spiny balls they drop!! Had two fall inn summer storms and made sure the third fell, with a little assistance.
Seriously, it is a shite tree.
Seriously, it is a shite tree.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:22 pm to Geauxld Finger
Sweet gum or gumball tree is consistently listed as amongst the most hurricane resistant trees. The gumballs Are a real hassle, but there is a gumball–less version that I have planted in my front yard to provide future shade that is worth hunting down. It is a far narrower tree than the species, though.
LINK ; fruitless tree
LSU hurricane recs:
LINK
LINK
LINK ; fruitless tree
LSU hurricane recs:
LINK
LINK
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 8/15/19 at 12:22 pm to Geauxld Finger
I've never understood why the "Rotundiloba' cultivar never took off. It's gumball-less and has a form that is pretty ideal for upright street plantings.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 1:03 pm to BottomlandBrew
I don’t think anyone is growing it. I’d rather that than the litany of shitty swamp red maples that get planted
Posted on 8/15/19 at 1:07 pm to jmon
quote:
It's a shite tree and you should eradicate your yard of all sweet gum trees
They are. Not good for firewood nor sawing up. Now if one has a black gum, that makes some fine wood off the sawmill.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 1:09 pm to Geauxld Finger
I had to order mine on line, receiving a typical 2-3 foot whip in a Coke-can sized pot, but this is its second summer and it is about 7 feet tall with multiple branches, growing like mad. Very happy with that decision.
Tupelos are another great choice for planting near the house in hurricane country. Some strains of the common varieties are sold that have unusual spring and summer foliage color
Both of those choices have great fall colors as well
Tupelos are another great choice for planting near the house in hurricane country. Some strains of the common varieties are sold that have unusual spring and summer foliage color
Both of those choices have great fall colors as well
This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 8/15/19 at 5:11 pm to modes
Cut that piece of shite down and plant something useful there. Fruit tree, pretty foliage, catalpa, etc. something with a purpose.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 5:34 pm to jmon
Is this a tree that people normally want the wood for?
Posted on 8/15/19 at 7:11 pm to Pectus
No, not sweet gum. Sawing it up and try to dry it and you would have nothing but warp crap.
Black gum is what wood workers look for.
Black gum is what wood workers look for.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 8:02 pm to modes
I have several mature ones at the back of my yard. I enjoy them.
But if they were dropping branches and next to my house, I'd consider removing them. Maybe call a reputable arbhorist for his opinion. After all trees take a long time to mature.
But if they were dropping branches and next to my house, I'd consider removing them. Maybe call a reputable arbhorist for his opinion. After all trees take a long time to mature.
Posted on 8/15/19 at 10:34 pm to jmon
quote:
Seriously, it is a shite tree.
Sweetgum are an important food source for wildlife, birds especially. Here I see hummingbirds feeding on the flowers in the spring, migrating warblers eating insects in the fall, and goldfinches and pine siskins getting seeds out of the gumballs all winter long.
And personal experience, we lost over a hundred large trees in Hurricane Michael but the sweetgums faired well. Still have 11 sweet gums over 50' tall along the driveway and others scattered around the property.
That said, OP, large tree dropping branches on your house, probably needs to go.
This post was edited on 8/16/19 at 4:01 pm
Posted on 8/16/19 at 8:31 pm to modes
Sweet gum has more commercial use than any specie. Number one food for wintering birds. Shake the gum ball, the rattling is the seeds. Tree turns a beautiful yellow in the fall. Anyone that calls a gum a trash tree is wrong. The dropping of branches is just natural pruning as all trees do. They are reaching for the sun. Just don’t try to split a gum for fire wood. My favorite tree. I ha
V made a living selling sweet gum. Oh yeah, I am a forester.
V made a living selling sweet gum. Oh yeah, I am a forester.
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