Free Sweet Gum trees, Middle Georgia

[Fred Wright]

Couple years ago when the new Dover high school was completed, the landscaper planted gums along the main sidewalk adjacent to Route 8. Ya know, the wide sidewalk they put in at high schools that the marching bands use to practice. I saw them gum saplings and thought, someone is gonna regret that choice of tree in years to come. Of all trees to plant along a sidewalk, sweet gums?

Many folks consider gums to be junk trees. They do provide food for wild birds and their fall colors really stand out. And they have a reputation for weathering strong winds. But for yard or shade trees, don't bother. Gums tend to shed a lot of deadfall. Those spiky seed balls are pretty much impervious to rot; they'll lay for years. We have several mature gums growing around the house, have to pull the sweeper in winter to get the gum balls out of the yard.

We don't burn it anymore. But when we did, gum was the devil to split. Ours is a small, 16-T hydro, had to slab the rounds from the outside inward to get it busted up. Made for many thin, bark covered slabs that rotted within the year. The stuff stinks when it burns and leaves a lot of ash behind.

Makes for a nice fireworks show in the stove, though.