Southern Sweetgums

[Santiago Casanova]

Termites love Sweet Gum trees here in Southern Louisiana. They are very strong and resilient. I would be very cautious of old storm damaged Sweet Gums with the tops that have blown out. Sometimes one large limb or multiple smaller limbs reaching 20’ - 30’ continuing to grow from only a few inches of trunk wood left. The center will be completely gone from the top and sometimes all the way down to the base. We should all know that new growth on storm damaged tree is an obvious hazard. In my experience I see many Sweet Gums new growth hiding the decay and/or growing long branches from a hollow section. Just a reminder to always do a thorough inspection of the tree. Sound it out, look for termite tunnels, holes in trunk, dead limbs, possible root problems, canker, fruiting bodies, and when in doubt of the crown? break out the binoculars.


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This is exactly why I am removing all my storm damaged sweetgums. I have removed some that have a column of rot that goes from the ground to over 40' up. All from being topped by the hurricanes of 04'. They are strong trees but they compartmentalize very poorly. If I had not removed them before our recent hurricanes, I would have had sweetgums in my house. I still climb the few I have left regularly, just only on the strong branches. If I need to go higher I use a TIP in an adjacent tree. Always use a backup system if you are unsure of a tree, or better yet, pick a different tree.

 

[oldoakman]

A friend of mine in Atlanta had his climber fall 2 years ago when the branch he was tied into failed. He fell between 45 and 60 feet, broke several vertebrae in his lower back and will spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair. He was going up on a Wraptor and his TIP was not snug in the crotch. He was almost to the TIP and heard the branch cracking but couldn't get to a safe place in time. Always make sure your rope in snug in the crotch(I know I'll take the hit on that one) or on a TIP that can support your weight plus. He is doing fine, still comes top GAA meetings etc.

 

[39Buick]

What a terrifying feeling that must have been. To hear the cracking and knowing what was inevitable. Makes my skin crawl to think about it. Glad he is doing well. I had a similar situation years ago while coming off of a utility pole. Stepped down into a rotted section of pole and the whole piece separated from the good wood. 6x12x2 chunk of the pole was still attached to my climber spike when i landed. I was fortunate as far as injury, hairline cracks in two vertebrate and a 60% compression fracture in a third. Took some time to heal but Thank the Good Lord all healed nicely. That slow motion fall is etched in my brain forever though! Part of the reason I asked about these types trees. When I climb trees I am absolutely sure of my rope placement and anchor point. I don't do it everyday so I am not faced with the challenges most guys here deal with day in and out to get the job done. Again my hats off to all the guys and gals who do.