Sweetgum Pruning

[GoodYautja]

Greetings all,

Does anyone have any experience with pruning Sweetgums? I'm wondering about this species response to hard pruning... The tree in question is a large mature tree. The homeowner asked for about 40- 45% canopy reduction (mostly lower overhanging branches). Obviously I didn't love that idea. I outlined my offer to prune about 25% and even that I know is going to be hard for such a mature tree. Removal has also been discussed so I may be talked into a heavier prune with an eye to seeing how it responds, but I would like as much species-specific info about the tree beforehand, regardless of what path we take. Thank you for any info!

 

[Steve Connally]

I've done tons of sweetgum. Follow best practices and you will be good, generally speaking. Super hearty tree. Compartmentalizes well. One of the most hearty trees out there but people hate them because of the gum balls. Very stringy wood so make good cuts or you'll have tearing. I've seen drastic pruning with good response. It will tend to sucker out quite a bit but not as bad as other species. Hard to kill them really.

 

[oldoakman]

People in the north like sweet gum for fall color. People in the south hate sweet gum. As for pruning, Steve is giving good advice.

 

[SomethingWitty]

I've done tons of sweetgum. Follow best practices and you will be good, generally speaking. Super hearty tree. Compartmentalizes well. One of the most hearty trees out there but people hate them because of the gum balls. Very stringy wood so make good cuts or you'll have tearing. I've seen drastic pruning with good response. It will tend to sucker out quite a bit but not as bad as other species. Hard to kill them really.

I hate them because they are heavy and not particularly strong. They also have this thing for being in incredibly tight spots and having been topped before.

 

[GoodYautja]

Such good info, thank you for sharing your experiences. I will never ever understand how the small "annoyances" of a tree can make someone want to kill it. If we all understood the little things about ourselves that other people put up with I think we would be more accepting of trees! Thanks again.

 

[guymayor]

pic?

 

[newbury]

I've got acres of sweetgum in Mississippi, the balls are a pain, the wood when milled can curl in a circle. Good slabs can be very pretty but it's been hard for me to get a good slab that didn't twist.

I prefer to prune them to ground level and then grow oak or pine.