Gum Tree Balls
The one major flaw of this deciduous tree is the hundreds of spiny woody balls it drops onto lawns and gardens across the united states starting in early winter until spring.
Gum tree balls. The round fruit balls are produced from fertilized flowers. The gum balls or monkey balls are said to have several capsule like structures wood like in appearance. The spiky clusters are actually balls of fruit with tiny seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on. The resulting decoction is known for it s antiviral properties and can be used as a preventative measure against sickness or as a remedy for the flu.
The uses of the tree extend from structuring furniture to using it as an ornamental tree for the purpose of landscaping. As a monoecious plant a sweet gum bears male and female flowers. The only difference is sweetgum balls drop all fall and winter. A notable exception is rotundiloba liquidambar styraciflua rotundiloba usda zones 5 through 9 which is a sterile female cultivar that does not produce fruits.
Go out with a bucket and fill it with seed pods and in the spring you may just use some. These seeds are often called porcupine balls because they are covered in small barbs. 5 out of 5 stars 59 59 reviews 12 95 free shipping add to favorites 24 silver sweet gum tree seed pods nature crafts woodland or rustic decor table scatter. But did you know there may be a natural remedy in your backyard.
The sweet gum wood is also used for fabricating veneers flooring and making decorative baskets. Many people think of sweet gum balls as a nuisance but they can be used to make many types of crafts. The tree s dark grayish brown twigs bear unusual corky ridges that lend the tree a peculiar angularity. How to pick up sweet gum tree balls and then use them.
The infertile seeds of the sweet gum ball contain shikimic acid which is also contained in the same tree used to make tamiflu. Consult your doctor if. All you need to do is clean them off with compressed air and they are. 100 sweet gum tree balls spiked craft decor with monkey balls for holiday decoration and home parties thejamescanteenstore.
Just like leaves they must fall so the tree can prep for new growth. Lay the seed pods around young plants to deter snails and slugs who would rather not tangle with them. Additionally the sweet gum s spiky gum balls hang conspicuously from the tree. If you have more than one sweet.
The spiky seed pods from the sweetgum tree are not only fascinating to look at they can actually help out in the garden. Sweet gum balls are the seeds that fall from sweet gum trees. By mid fall the balls are dead and seedless. If you re up for some experimenting sweet gum balls can been used to make a tea from boiling the young green seeds.
If you are one of many unlucky owners of a sweet gum tree then you re probably frustrated with the sweet gum pods or gum balls that are. The barbs are carried to new locations when they latch onto animals fur.