Get Rid of Sweetgum Tree Balls

Sweetgum trees give new meaning to the term lethal beauty--you know what we mean if you’ve ever stepped on one of the round, thorny balls that fall incessantly from these trees every fall and winter. While this hardy, gorgeous tree graces yards across America with luscious, star-shaped and color-changing leaves, the golf ball size prickly spheres it casts off cause enough trouble to throw entire cities into a tizzy.

If you’re wondering how to control these little balls of fire, you have a few options; namely removal, replacement, or prevention. Let’s explore each of these options a little more.

Removing Sweetgum Tree Balls
Some clever manufacturers have figured out a way to capitalize on this the sweetgum tree’s feisty fruit by creating contraptions that scoop them up with ease. Bag-A-Nut, for example, crafted a lawnmower-looking contraption you can push across your lawn to collect the pesky balls. If you don’t want to shell out your cash for a fancy new gadget, a rake does the work just as well.

Replanting a Fruitless Sweetgum Tree
Many sweetgum tree owners simply don’t have the time or energy to constantly remove the seemingly endless supply of prickly balls. A more permanent solution is to remove the entire sweetgum tree and replace it with a fruitless variety called the roundleaf sweetgum tree. This sister tree is fast-growing and looks identical but does not drop the irritating tree balls. If you like this option, contact a local tree removal company to do the dirty work for you.

Preventing Sweetgum Tree Balls
The third option is to apply a chemical injection to the sweetgum tree that prevents the tree from growing any fruit at all. The timing needs to be absolutely perfect for these injections, otherwise the fruit will still grow (albeit much smaller). You will need a professional tree specialist to safely and effectively apply this growth hormone to your tree. When done correctly, you can kiss those prickly balls goodbye for the year.

If you’re in the York, PA area and have a tree service need big or small, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Tree Service York PA. From sweetgum tree care and beyond, we can deliver the tree care solution you require.