All about Sweet Gum Trees

Matthew Barlow, nursery manager at EarthworksJax shares the history and continuing legacy through suckering of a Sweet Gum tree at the nursery. The range of the sweet gum in the United States is discussed along with uses including producing syrup and growth pattern in the mixed forest along the Earth Works property in Northeast Florida are shown from the drone.
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[@user-wd1vw1sf6h]

Brother glad you decided to make this me and my son watch it always live, laugh love brother

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I remember American sweetgums in my neighborhood here in Los Angeles California when I was young. Now I have one source tree in my backyard, and about a dozen or so offspring in large pots and around the rest of the property that I've gathered over the years. Like you, I thought they were from scattered seeds from my mature liquidamber, but on closer inspection I saw that they were growing from lateral roots as far away as twenty feet from the mother tree (very similar to the Pando forest of aspen in Utah!). They've done very well in pots for 4 or 5 years in pots. I put them in the ground the trunk is one to two inches in diameter (and the trees are about five to ten feet tall). I love the fall color.

[@user-tv2dk5tu1p]

Great video. Thanks mr. handsome.

[@wildsouth2471]

Plenty of sweet gum in the south! One of my favorite native trees here in Mississippi because they can grow pretty much anywhere. They even grow as far south as Central America!

[@GoneCarnivore]

My neighbor had a large one cut down and now I have sweetgums popping up all over from the large roots in the ground. Amazing how far those roots reached. Around 75 yards to be exact

[@EarthWorksJax]

Wow! 75 yards is incredible!

[@chriscannaday4677]

Sweetgums are definitely known for suckering when you cut them down. They aren't bad about it when they aren't damaged but they will definitely do it when they are cut or run over. They also produce thousands of seeds that are transported by wind. They are an early successional species and will quickly move in and take over a clear cut or burned over area. They provide seeds for small birds and their limbs are good for nesting birds. But they don't make good trees for residential use. The balls hurt to step on and they get thrown into windows by lawn mowers. They also have shallow exposed roots that make mowing difficult. I also wouldn't suggest making syrup out of it, they have other compounds in their sap that are very sour. Try one of the Maple species instead.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I love watching the little birds hunting seeds in the late fall in mi between the bricks of my backyard patio! They find so many more than I thought were actually there. Surprisingly, the squirrels eat the seedballs when they’re done ravishing my citrus, pomegranates, and persimmons. Kinda messy, they throw debris all under the tree, onto my teakwood park benches where I like to sit in the shade. Yes, the balls hurt when you step on them, and they can be a tripping hazard too.

[@judystidham4023]

Had 3 for many years, lost 2 last winter and 3rd isn't doing well. Sure will miss them. I live in Texas, close to N.M.

[@taitjones6310]

just to note, i believe the ratio of reduction for sugar maples is 40 or 50 to 1. 40 litres reduces to 1 litre. So if you plan to make syrup, you're going to have to tap a LOT of trees.

[@AllenGoodman]

I have been carving faces on Sweet Gum saplings for walking sticks,keychains & many other small carvings. Thanks for the video. 👍

[@EarthWorksJax]

Thank you for the info and glad you enjoyed!

[@posturebalanceandfitness8429]

That's cool!

[@MT-tx7bu]

I have one in my yard. Bought it years ago AND I live in Washington State! :D Going to tap this year

[@louiscle1622]

That root would have been a great use for juvenile bonsais.

[@gfixler]

"They're not known for suckering." Sweet gums are the tree I *most* associate with suckering, when they're cut down. I've seen in so many forums over the years with people cautioning that you're going to get tons of suckers across your whole property if you cut one down, because they send their roots out far, and sucker like crazy when felled. I've also heard from a number of people not to plant them near structures, because they'll wrap roots around and crack your foundation. No first-hand experience in these matters, but I've heard these things very often.

[@Mike-su8si]

I'm gonna plant whatever ones i find in our backyard with all the other tree's

[@arcturus9366]

Plant them near your neighbors house if you despise your neighbor. 😂 Jk don't do this

[@JacBac7]

Yeah they sucker like crazy, and they can and do damage foundations. There is one big growing just a couple feet from my house that is a major and expensive problem for us. We also had to remove several that were reaching for our septic tank. In order to properly cut them down, you have to cut in winter and shred the root base, otherwise they’ll just come right back. Very pretty trees though. I’m always impressed by their strength and resilience as well.

[@charlesgunzelman3323]

They are also weak as hell. My area is somewhat low and they fall naturally more than any other tree. Plant Sycamore instead. Gum trees are garbage.

[@kingneptune6925]

@@charlesgunzelman3323 fake news

[@Coalbucketlist]

A few years back my tree dropped a lot of those gumballs in the fall. The lady who lives next door told me she's lived there 40 years and never seen them that bad. Took me forever to clean those up. Since then there haven't been as many falling in Autumn. This year in Indy I don't see any on my trees at all? Do they have a cycle? If so another 40 years is fine with me. I'll probably be gone by then 😂.

[@mrbear1302]

Sweet gum trees are the most vile tree ever created. I was traumatized as a child; having an enormous one in our backyard! If you live in an area where it rains a lot in fall and winter DO NOT PLANT ONE. You will regret it.....trust me.

[@martinparmer]

yeah, why would you root one of these awful trees. I cut down every one I find.

[@sweetjesus697]

I don't trust strangers without explanation, can you elaborate to their vile nature please? I'm considering an entire fence line of them.

[@JoeMama-vj8es]

@@sweetjesus697 Dude they're awful. The branches shed and are all gnarly, those dang balls are a nightmare, the roots are huge, bulbous and often above the surface also the root suckers are unbelievable! Do yourself a favor and plant a birch.

[@j_shelby_damnwird]

OK dude we get you don't like 'em. What if you stop spam posting the same comment over and over?

[@posturebalanceandfitness8429]

Thanks for the info! I think we will try to make syrup, too!

[@bluebirdbeeworks]

I live in Northeast Texas. Please come by our farm and you can have all the sweet gums you can dig up. We have thousands. Take them. Please.

[@Billy420-69]

My dad's driveway here in a remote area of SE Mississippi there is a sweet gum tree that is short and fat with moss growing all over it like fur that I swear must be at least 500 years old.

[@EarthWorksJax]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing Billy!

[@DanielinLaTuna]

They can get quite old, but I don't think to 500 years. But definitely 100-150, maybe even 200. Very old ones can reach 400. In southern California, where I garden, though, many American sweetgum or liquidamber trees are declining due to infection by a bacterial pathogen that causes a disease known as “bacterial scorch.” This pathogen is not new in California, but it is relatively new in liquidambar trees because of the introduction, about 20 years ago, of a new insect pest imported from the southern states called the glassywing sharpshooter,

[@micah_lee]

On the sucker thing you mentioned, our crape myrtle we cut down grows them like grass from the roots! Very interesting

[@perfectperson214]

Tha nursery looks fantastic by tha way!

[@EarthWorksJax]

Thanks for stopping by.

[@JCox-zp1bk]

I have a common sweetgum tree I grew from seed about 40 years ago. The tree is alive and vigorous. At a couple of spots away from the tree, sprouts have emerged from larger roots. This tree does not make those seed balls, for an interesting reason. There is not another sweetgum tree for about half a mile or more from it. Sweetgums have both male and female flowers on them, but there still must be another sweetgum tree closeby to pollenate them. They will not pollenate their own flowers. Another sweetgum must be close enough to do that. There is a term for it but I can't think of it right now. And because the sprouts have the same DNA as the mother-tree, they will not pollenate each other. And because of all this, I won't be planting another sweetgum on my property because I hate those seed pods.

[@kylesmithisawesome]

An old comment, but would you happen to know what biochemical signaling is involved in the production of their "balls"?

[@bowedpsaltery]

I have over 30 of them on only 3 acres. I’d gladly give them away so it doesn’t cost me a fortune to remove.

[@big_t_dynasty]

We had them at my elementary school in San Diego.

[@Phoenix_Atlas]

I've seen a Pine tree in oregon that had fallen and a low branch turned into a new tree. All the trees energy went into that one branch and it was about 2 3rds of the height of the original tree.

[@Mike-su8si]

My young beechnut tree is still working on growing a new top crown because when it was younger 2 years old the weed eater hit the top of it so the side branch has been slowly turning into the new top crown of the tree

[@tinaknutsen]

@phoenix_Atlas FYI: (3 years later…) You described horticulture terms for Air Layering.

[@rodsharp8346]

Why is he so excited about sweetgum trees , its a pain in the neck I have small hills of those damn balls.

[@marydoughty9377]

Why is my sweet gum tree sprouting leaves on her bark? Oklahoma

[@EarthWorksJax]

They are considered suckers, scientifically called epicormic growth when on the trunk. Water sprouts is the common term used when leaves arise from the branches. In both instances, they are usually the result of an injury to the roots or bark.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

@@EarthWorksJax,you'll see them on trees that have been topped also. Previous owner had my liquidamber topped and you can see multiple branches originating just below the cut stumps, and lots of smaller limbs eminating from the bark up and down the tree. I always thin a tree if it's "too big", but never top it to make it smaller. Peoples really should read about the eventual spread and height of a tree before buying and planting it. Perhaps what folks really want is something like a crape myrtle. It's a nice tree that doesn't get too large, and has pretty flowers as a bonus.

[@jamescastelli]

Hmm, sweet gum and sycamore are NOT closely related. Sweet gums are part of the Saxifrage family (includes gooseberries and currants). Sycamores are Proteales, an odd bunch of plants which include lotus and Macadamia nuts.

[@femalej777]

👍 New subscriber Looking to plant some gum ball trees already got about 5 on property need 5 more for privacy and the birds.. I live in North AL. Love these trees

[@kahl777]

I live in southern Maryland, and as amazing and medicinal as sweet gum trees might be, I hate them. They drop thousands of tiny pointy balls every winter which sucks.

[@judystidham4023]

None of this information seems to fit my sweet gum trees, but they produce those pods, so definitely sweet gums.

[@conquesotador]

Are those root runners considered clones? We have sweet gums all through the neighborhood here in California. Our cats love playing with the sweet gum balls in the fall.

[@micah_lee]

Yes, it would be basically the same exact tree.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

That's right, they have the exact same DNA as the mother tree. I have many "seedlings" (cuttings,actually) that I've nurtured into medium size trees that I've planted around my property. Since they are identical copies, I make sure to intersperse other species between them, like sycamore, pines, crape myrtle, and other trees. That way, if a pathogen or disease vector ever invades my yard, it won't spree like wildfire across a monoculture of identical hosts.

[@user-jq5hl2pc7q]

I am curious if the suckers did well or not. I have one coming off my sweet gum tree

[@oaktadopbok665]

Sweet gum and sycamore are not "closely related." They are not even in the same family.

[@EarthWorksJax]

True. "Before molecular tools were used in taxonomy, the sycamore family was thought to be related to a group of mostly wind-pollinated families containing sweetgum, elms, oaks, birches, and such." ufi.ca.uky.edu/treetalk/ecobot-sycamore

[@foskr4]

We have one in our garden in the Uk! Its protected over here - no idea how it got here lol

[@perfectperson214]

I see sweet gums shooting off surface roots alllll tha time.

[@cktung100]

Can you just show one real tree? after I watched the video but I still no any idea what it is

[@lagaman11]

Is there anyway to prune a large sweetgum tree back to keep it for producing the gumballs? I absolutely "LOVE" my sweetgum trees, but now that I am older, the constant racking of the gum balls, and the slipping and falling hazard that they create, is going to force me to cut them all down if I cannot find another option. I have 3 magnificent fully grown trees that are so beautiful, provide wonderful shade in the summer, and thrill us every fall when their leaves change color. So, I would love to keep them, if possible. Thanks to anyone with any bright ideas that they can share with me.

[@cathyn2065]

I recently bought a house with a sweetgum tree and the previous owner said there's a liquid you can buy that you inject into the sweetgum to prevent it from producing those spikey balls. I haven't done it yet, myself, but you can find info on it if you Google "sweetgum injection".

[@hudsonquay]

@@cathyn2065 That’s right. It’s a treatment that messes up the trees reproductive system.

[@tinaknutsen]

That injection is expensive and you have to do it every year early spring. It really doesn’t work. Kinda like giving your tree birth control to prevent all those sweet gum balls. A huge waste of your time and money.

[@champagnewalkersequinemass3568]

I am going to bonsai forest the seedlings I bought. The fall colors hang on a long time.

[@remnantfewministriesminist495]

Nice Video! I love the smell. So true! They are sprouting up all around the roots of my tree. Can you tell me what kind of fern that is in the background of the seedlings?

[@jennifermartin5120]

Can you make a video making the syrup?

[@EarthWorksJax]

That process is a little harder. Stay tuned maybe in the future.

[@jeffisaliar]

These are akin in behavior to sycamore. The stout wood, webbed leaves, love of water, and poofy seeds.

[@chenoabryan8458]

I'm from Jax beach florida and moved to the coast of Oregon. My apartment has sweetgums and noticed a sucker pop up by the sidewalk. So I just dug up 2 roots.... How large of a pot should a put a 2.5 inch root in? I have 2 of them. The other one has a start of a button popping up. THANKS

[@khantutan825]

Question. How do you kill the darn thing. Its roots are so invasive.

[@mrbear1302]

Get something that kills blackberries. they are designed for plants that root easily.

[@khantutan825]

@@mrbear1302 Thanks for the tip.

[@MikeRemvidas]

You are insane in your membrane !! These trees produce gum balls all year long ! That means my blower is running all year long ! Which means more work for pop - pop !! I am chain sawing all three hundred of these alien things out of here one by one 😎

[@EarthWorksJax]

Yes, we completely understand, this tree is not for everyone.

[@mrbear1302]

Sweet gum trees are the most vile tree ever created. I was traumatized as a child; having an enormous one in our backyard! If you live in an area where it rains a lot in fall and winter DO NOT PLANT ONE. You will regret it.....trust me.

[@MikeRemvidas]

Almost 9 months later and I only left like three or four of 70-80 sweet gum trees😎👌🏻 I have my life back ! No more mountains of gum balls piled up the blower is almost on a lifetime vacation ! The heck with them dirty ass trees 🤪

[@catm762]

What is the spacing for planting sweetgum? How far from each other?

[@charlesgunzelman3323]

Don't plant them. If any tree species can be considered a weed, this is one.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

I've seen them planted as close as eight to ten feet apart. Five or six that close can give the impression of a grove in a meadow. Perhaps you can also plant them in a row. But I wouldn't go closer than ten feet, and I'd make sure they had different parents (that is, NOT clones!), in case disease ever comes calling. As far as being "nuance" or "invasive", not really; it depends on the foresight a gardener had when planting them. Put them in an appropriate location and they'll "behave". Put them too close to a building or a sidewalk, or in a lawn that gets excessive watering, and you'll be cursed with surface roots that get injured by the mower or begin to invade the foundation or lift sidewalks.

[@Undiasolucion]

Can you get red rashes after getting hurt with them?

[@EarthWorksJax]

There are folks allergic to Sweet Gum and its pollen. Likewise, the sap known as storax in traditional societies is used as a treatment for skin ailments, ulcers, and other things.

[@oldguywisdom2904]

Sweet gum tree is good for fire wood only. They drop those balls year round and are very annoying to have in your yard.i hate these trees

[@EarthWorksJax]

lol.

[@Mityob67]

Excellent for firewood. Losing your footing on the balls when walking through the woods or having to rake them up...not so much.

[@Mike-su8si]

Why doesn't lowes and menards sell those tree's in the garden section only places I've found those are in ditches then if i can't dig up most the root it dies

[@epiccoolcid192theonewhoswags]

after 5 years I know what these are

[@dogoven.]

7:02 …that’s what she said.

[@dimedriver]

Sweet gums put up suckers from the roots whenever they are damaged. If you cut a branch from one it will put up a lot of suckers. Expect a lot more suckers from that stump. They are a very hard tree to manage in a pasture or field.

[@Mike-su8si]

That's what slippery elm tree's do

[@ricki-bobby]

It's the tree that most symbolizes the Delmarva

[@sammylacks4937]

We kept the balls telling others they are Porkypine eggs.

[@zackmorgan4500]

Sweet gum trees are terrible in your yard. Do yourself a favor and admire them in the forest and don't make the mistake of planting one in your yard. If you have one growing in your yard and it's still small enough to be cut down easily then remove it. THEY SUCK!!!

[@Mike-su8si]

They're just hard to find and I don't like buying stretched looking trees some places like to sell so a baby sweetgum wont be stretched out looking bad they're just hard to find i know the tree an spike balls even the smell

[@robert953]

Bullshit, by sweet gum has small trees coming from the root systems, FYI, the dam thing keeps braking limbs and falling. Some 6-12 inches in diameter.

[@elizabethryder5422]

That's what Torbay will be doing with the sweet gum tree Turning into a table legs

[@coleman2586]

These trees are a headache

[@MrRocco_]

Yes

[@calebproductions5970]

You must be crazy these trees have the most medicinal value of any tree almost.

[@on4acres]

caleb prodtoins this was the most underrated comment of this video.

[@mrbear1302]

Sweet gum trees are the most vile tree ever created. I was traumatized as a child; having an enormous one in our backyard! If you live in an area where it rains a lot in fall and winter DO NOT PLANT ONE. You will regret it.....trust me.

[@jefflebowski918]

Sweet Gum are a nuisance, I have them on my property and they make a mess all year long.

[@MrRocco_]

I find it hard to mow close to those sweet gum trees

[@MadSceintist]

They're an invasive species

[@wildsouth2471]

Mad- Scientist 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@happity]

I've had giant ones barely made a mess, even in brutal storms. Are you bothered by the seed balls?

[@sumo8279]

Good outweigh the bad.

[@omarzalpa1985]

Murica

[@lorileo4319]

We have a bunch of them. I hate them, they are horrible. My yard is a danger zone.