I'm not a tree expert by any means, and I plan on doing quite a bit of studying before I walk into the woods and turn on the chain saw. I own a tree service so I have seen some pretty reckless attempts at tree felling but that would take the cake. The chemical breaks down into ethylene, a naturally occurring compound that sweet gum produces when under stress. Follow the directions precisely as too much could stunt or stress your tree. Cut down saplings with a saw if their diameter is 6 in (15 cm) or smaller. If you can't drill holes then pour hot salt boiling water around on top of the roots and around the tree. Plus it's not very safe, as you want to guide where the tree falls. If your sweet gum sapling is relatively skinny, it’s easiest to use a hand saw to remove it. Pour the roundup liberally over the remaining underground stump. Frost-damaged branches of the sweet gum can be cut back to the live wood after winter. The crown can be thinned out (see illustration) if the tree is too large or if the crown is too dense. Karen from Arkansas. I know Hickory's and Sweet Gum's are both good trees to hinge cut, what others should I be taking down for cover? bit; drill at an angle pointing down towards the ground. Although it can grow up to 100 feet tall, it averages 60 feet tall with a 40-foot spread. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date! I just had a sweet gum cut down. Mature leaves are 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm.) Pros and Cons of Having Large Gum Trees on Your Property. This callus is essential to the health of the tree. Can I fell a sweetgum tree and uproot the stump by cutting through the roots and letting the tree's weight do the work? To kill a gum tree quickly and effectively: drill three or four holes around the bottom of the tree with the 1/4 in. Frost-damaged branches of the sweet gum can be cut back to the live wood after winter. If you have access to free sweet gum that's already processed or if you cut down a single tree in your yard and you need to get rid of the wood, sweet gum is fine to use. I sawed the logs last fall, air dried the 5/4 boards and put them through a solar kiln this Spring. Leave the ivy growing on the tree to die on its own. Note – Cut the sections 8-10” longer than lumber you to want after processing to accommodate losses. Ouch. You can also use this method on stumps that you want to get rid of. The best time to do this is in April, when the leaves start to appear. This does take alittle time to do. The Sweet Gum tree's roots form a wide network and the Roundup with get into the ground (and groundwater) and destroy other trees and plants as well. However, sweet gum does give off a decent amount of heat and the wood is capable of heating your home. The easiest way to kill a sweetgum (that is clear of anything it can damage) is to "ring" the bark about 2 to 3 inches around the base. It is easy to mill and finishes great. Remember, this is the best way kill the plant for good. Their fall color lasts much longer than most other trees. They serve an important purpose in the flora make-up of the country. There are 2 steps in process of logging timber. Homeowners longing for the shade of an old tree should resist the temptation to plant a fast-growing tree – Lombardy poplar, honeylocust, any species of … I have taken dozens of trees down by digging around the base and pushing it over with a small excavator. The problem with killing the tree as it stands is that then the tree will fall when the next big wind blows -- probably onto your house, car, or propane tank, luck being what it is. My problem is the extremely high losses during drying. Otherwise, your sweetgum tree will still produce balls–though they'll be smaller. I still have the root to get rid of. The eucalyptus tree, or gum tree as they are more popularly known, is a very common tree in Australia. Sweetgum trees are a fall beauty with their variegated colorful leaves. I don't know about sweet gum but the pine won't grow back if cut to the ground. A tree removal service can remove even the tallest sweet gum trees by climbing the tree and lopping it off from the top down. New growth will occur where you make each cut. The goal is to make the angles as shown in the diagram (or as close as you can). The bad part is some of it is under my home so we can't use a grinder. It can grow to a staggering 100 feet tall with a striking canopy that produces fiery oranges, reds and burnt-umber foliage in the fall. Sweet gum tree leaves have five to seven pointed lobes, and their shape will remind you of a star. Is the sweetgum a tree for all yards? This is Oh, so totally wrong. To kill a gum tree quickly and effectively: drill three or four holes around the bottom of the tree with the 1/4 in. Use a hand pruner to cut ivy stems from their roots around the bottom of the tree’s trunk. As you know, the tree is fast-growing and it offers lots of summer sun screen when mature. The branches will not tear if you first make a cut a few centimetres deep on the underside of the branch. If you are thinking of cutting trees on private property there are a few things to consider first. Over time, the roots will rot in the ground. Remove a few heavy branches evenly from all over the crown. The tree will be dead in 2-3 months and it'll start showing because the leaves will turn brown and start falling. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question. Grind the stump down as much as possible, then go to the hardware store and and buy a container of roundup for trees and bushes. Cut the branches at a 45-degree angle to allow water run-off and promote healing. The Sweet Gum tree is the sand spur of the forest. If some shoots are sent up, make sure you spray them too. When the tree is cut, if it is far enough away from the house, leave the trunk to stand as a pillar about eight feet tall. The roundup will kill stump roots so no new shoots are sent up. Again, the timing is super important here, and often, there’s only one week a year you can stop the balls entirely. Trim the wound so that there are no rough edges; Year two. Make sure you cut the branch a few inches from the trunk. What is the fastest way to kill and remove this stump and roots? Yes, the sweet gum's spiny balls are annoying, but the worst thing about sweet gum trees are that they spread like weeds. Finding Home Repair Help for Low Income Families, Preventing a Sweetgum Tree From Making Balls. When felling a tree, the rule of thumb is to make the depth of the notch one-fifth of the tree trunk's diameter. The wood is beautiful. If a sweet gum is flowering when the chemical induces ethylene production, it responds by aborting the flowers. The first two cuts remove the weight from the tree branch, and the final cut is designed for the best callus growth. but by later in the season it should rot. Plant the stump with vines and birds will thank you. Do you need permission to cut down a tree? This is a suitable time to remove any branches from the sweet gum that have become too big. The vicious seed pods have impaled many a forager and has done much to ruin the Sweet Gums reputation. I should say everything above where you girdled the tree at least will die. Cut the main stem of a two-year-old tree straight across at the desired height, cutting as low as 8cm (3in) from ground level if required. This is a guide about preventing a sweetgum tree from making balls. The American sweet gum tree is also called Liquidambar. Should you cut down a sweetgum and later decide to plant another, keep in mind that it takes 15-20 years for it to produce its first fruit. While sweet gum is known and appreciated for its lovely fall color, it is also despised for its seeds. Do NOT ever use Roundup. When a tree is topped, up to 100% of the leaf bearing crown is removed. I am working with sweet gum for the first time. The downside to growing a sweetgum tree is the seed pods. Then carefully pour straight Roundup (18% concentration or higher) to fill the holes--you're done. They can sprout new growth long after the main trunk has been cut down. It rots them completely. The best time to do this is in April, when the leaves start to appear. It is recommended to treat pruning cuts with a wound sealant, and you should never prune in freezing weather. Checking and splitting resulted in a loss of ~25%. It grows to 75 feet in height and prefers full sun in Zones 5 to 9, which includes all but the very northern and southern parts of the United States. Make the cut at the bottom of the tree so a short stump will be all that’s left. In soft soil, ivy is easier to remove. Introducing such a chemical alters sweet gum's natural hormone levels, prompting the tree to abort its fruits. If there’s a sweet gum in your yard, you can forget about walking around barefoot once the seedpods fall in autumn and winter. I've heard of success by driving a huge nail or railroad spike down the center of the stump, but it takes years to accomplish the subsequent rot of the stump and root. Sure it may be sick, damaged or just badly placed, but there are rules and regulations to follow and council fines for cutting down trees illegally. There are products available at plant nursery centres that hasten the decomposition, make sure you read and follow the directions carefully. Make the cut just above a bud. Hope this helps you. Pruning in April. The sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a fast growing shade tree with a pyramidal shape native to the Southeastern U.S. The tree is pulling water and nutrients from the ground upwards to feed itself and sustain growth--it will pull the Round Up up and it will NOT go into the ground. You can shorten the stump after the branch has been removed, keeping sufficient distance from the trunk so that the branch collar is left intact. However, for many homeowner's this display does not make up for the deluge of spiny seed pods that litter their yard. Finding Roof Repair Assistance for Seniors? I would assume you can cut the tree down to the ground, dig up some surrounding soil and pour some root killer around the base a few times two weeks apart to rid you of future saplings that may grow back. Measure the sweetgum tree and mark it at one foot above ground level. They are very difficult to control! The greater the harvest expense per tree, the less the harvester may be willing to pay for the trees. Five years ago our street was flooded for about a week (from back to back hurricanes), and the tree really hasn't been the same since. Sweet gum trees are known for their … It is really a joy to work with. In the summer months you can remove the low side branches of the sweet gum. Water beneath the tree or wait until after a rainfall. What Fruitless Sweetgum Tree to Plant as an Alternative - This used to be done by cutting the branches as close to the trunk as possible, but studies have now shown that it is better to leave the branch collars intact.When pruning thick branches, first make a cut on the underside before sawing through the branch from the top. Most tree branches that are cut back to the trunk or a main branch will require three cuts to prevent damage to the bark. You painfully find them with your feet. It was very close to my home. wide. Then carefully pour straight Roundup (18% concentration or higher) to fill the holes--you're done. It will help the stump to deteriorate quicker. As a defensive action, the starving tree responds by rapidly sending out multiple shoots from latent buds below each cut. The felling cut should meet the point of the notch. It's used in drains to kill tree roots growing into them. You have lot more to learn. I girdled one of my Elm trees and everything above where I girdled it died but everything below stayed alive. You can then see which sections need to be removed, as no leaves will grow on the affected branches. It is a popular street tree and is prized for its flashy display of fall foliage. Q. Whiskeyjet: Hope you are sitting down. If you want, you can also buy something called "root rot" at the hardware store also. Remove bark down to the bare wood and coat with an herbicide. Cut the tree to size after planting. Another alternative for you is to cut down the offending tree and plant a fruitless sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Rotundiloba’) in its place. Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Karen,If you can, drill a few holes in the roots or at the base of the tree. Alright guys, looking at starting my hinge cutting this weekend.. And I have a ton of it to do.. (This stuff has been banned in Europe for years as a cancer causing agent.) When the tree starts to fall, the hinge will help guide the tree to fall in the desired direction. You would have no control of the tree if and when it falls. £5 discount? Girdling a tree cuts the flow of nutrients from the roots to the trees in the tree will die. I can control the direction of the falk and get the stump out all in one shot. It's important to prune a young tree during its first dormant season to encourage good growth and a suitable shape. You can then saw through the branch from above. Some trees are more resilient than others like elm trees. +, Indoor plants with patterned leaves - up to 10% off, Flower bulbs that attract butterfly and bees, Flower bulb packages to attract butterflies and bees. Use slow, horizontal movements of the hand saw to cut the tree near the ground nicely. This is Oh, so totally wrong. Thinning out the crown will encourage the development of new branches and leaves. If you cut one down, about a dozen shoots will appear on what's left of the trunk trying to grow more little sweet gum trees. It can be more costly per unit of wood removed to cut only a few, selected trees, rather than cut most or all trees in the stand. If you enjoy colorful fall foliage, butterflies and moths, and birds, and if you can find a place for the tree in your landscape, do so. These roots are hardy, which makes sweet gum tree removal difficult. How can I kill a sweet gum tree to let it gradually die because it is too tall to cut in my yard? Gum trees make up the majority of trees in the country. No. The pods have sharp, spiny exteriors that will elicit a shout if you happen to be stuck with one. You can then see which sections need to be removed, as no leaves will grow on the affected branches. If you need a lot of firewood I would suggested avoiding sweet gum. As soon as possible after planting, cut it down so that it's only about 30 inches (76.2 cm) high. Sweet Gum Tree I have a 20-year-old sweet gum, approximately 50' tall, with leaves out fully at the top but sparse at lower branches. Multiple branches should have regenerated from the wound and from below ground level. Take boiled hot water that you've added a whole box of salt to and pour into the holes. Often, the larger the sale, the higher the price per unit of wood that can be offered. bit; drill at an angle pointing down towards the ground. I have taken down pine trees as big as 16". Perhaps it is time for some rehabilitation. Getting as deep as you can, pull the roots out. I don't think that will be enough. As leaves are the food source for any tree, the absence of this food supply can temporarily starve the tree. 1) Felling/removal Removing main trunk is easy, chainsaw pieces down to ground, seal ends, load it up and haul it away.