Nap Time for the Sweetgum
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There’s this giant Sweetgum tree in the yard that sheds it’s leaves every Fall. It’s a beautiful tree that’s survived a major beating from the hurricanes a few years ago. It was given a healthy trimming by high winds, but all of the limbs landed in my back yard, leaving me a lot of cleanup work. In spite of the beauty and my admiration of it’s resiliency, I have three major problems with this tree:
- It drops all of the leaves every year
- It drops “spiky dingleball fruits” that are capable of impaling your foot
- It drops pollen-covered, petal-less blooms everywhere
This tree pretty much sucks. However, it is a nice looking tree, providing a lot of shade in my yard. And cutting it down would run me about $1,500 USD. I’m on the fence with what to do about it, but for now it shall live and I will continue happily raking up this mess three times a year. I have to admit, though, that even the dead leaves are attractive in their own way. That sneaky Mother Nature…preservation through beauty.
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This post has 14 comments
November 24th, 2007
What a pretty tree! I have two Lime trees (I think you call them Linden trees or Basswood.) They are huge and completely cover the garden with leaves in the Autumn so I sympathise. I wouldn’t be allowed to chop my trees down - they are protected.
I agree with your ‘preservation through beauty’ though despite the mess, I love my trees as they do give me privacy and are home to lots of wildlife - even though I am terrified they’re going to fall on my house one of these days when the wind is high!
Diane’s last blog post..Let?s do the time warp again?
November 25th, 2007
Some interesting looking leaves pete. 1500 just to cut her down, wow. Yeah better leave it up, lol
Rolando’s last blog post..I’ve got a friend in you
November 25th, 2007
I just recently learned what a sweetgum tree was - and those spiky things appeared to be quite vicious! They must be a southern species - I have never seen one in the New England area. Glad to hear you will try to enjoy mother nature’s gift!
kml’s last blog post..Green Thumb Sunday - Boot Planter
November 25th, 2007
They are called “monkey balls.” That is the technical name of course and I wouldn’t guess you would know that. They grow in Maryland if that eases your pain. I am afflicted by these trees as well so fellow American, “I feel your pain.”
November 26th, 2007
Wow. $1,500. That’s a MacBook Pro. Keep the tree! Wear boots so as not to impale your feet on random “spiky dingleball fruits”.
November 26th, 2007
At least I get to enjoy your leaf pics!
Jon’s last blog post..As Bright as Chandlers? Dreams
November 26th, 2007
Hi,
In spite of its flaws, it sounds like a beautiful tree and it should be worth saving. Any living thing which has survived such abuse deserves a chance to continue thriving. -Mike
November 26th, 2007
that’s very nice
reggina’s last blog post..follow the light
November 26th, 2007
Diane: I was waiting for the tree to give up and fall on my house, but thankfully that didn’t happen.
Rolando: Yeah, like Lisa says, that’s a new Macbook Pro.
kml: the spiky balls will destroy a bare foot. I always wear shoes around that thing.
Joe: I’ll have to inform Floridata of the correct scientific terminology of “monkey balls.”
Lisa: you saved the tree with the Macbook thing.
Jon: I’m sort of compelled to post some to relieve you a bit.
Mr. Grudge: I still don’t like the tree, but I’m not cutting it down. I’m more bark than bite (pun intended). I fully agree with your assessment on survivorship.
reggina: thanks, I’ll have to stop by your blog sometime. It’s been awhile.
November 27th, 2007
Keep The Tree
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..I Am In.
November 27th, 2007
My daughter just brough home a “sweet gum” art project I may have to post a picture of in my blog so keep an eye out. I thought it was ironic after reading your post here that she would bring that home. I wonder if you are her teacher…nah.
November 28th, 2007
meleah: Kept.
Joe: If I was her teacher, she would know quantum physics. But alas, I am not.
December 4th, 2007
I’m right there with you with the sweetgum balls. You only step on those things once with bare feet before you learn. Yeowch!
Stephen’s last blog post..oy.
December 5th, 2007
I think it happened to me the first week I lived here. Shoes all the time since then.