How To Deal With Sweetgum Tree Balls

Delighted sweetgum tree owners understand the plant's brilliant summer glow, and colorful fall leaves can't compare. However, enchanting colors don't make up for those pesky brown balls that fall all over your yard. 

You've perhaps heard about tree injections to deter the balls from growing. Do they work? Read on to find out. 

Why Sweetgum Tree Balls Fall 

Sweetgum tree balls are balls of fruit with little seeds inside that squirrels and birds love eating.
By the middle of autumn, the balls are dead. Similar to leaves, the balls have to fall so the tree can get ready for new growth. The only difference between sweetgum balls and leaves is leaves drop in the fall, and balls drop all fall and winter.

You can't eat sweetgum balls. However, you can convert the balls into mulch and put a layer around your trees and plants. You can also use the balls as holiday trinkets. 

Sweetgum Tree and Injections 

Using injections on your sweetgum tree is complex since the moment has to be on point. For the best way to stop sweetgum balls, hire a professional and experienced tree care company. 

Use the injections right before the tree flowers in the springtime. The result is the flowers fall, stopping the balls from developing.

An arborist can pinpoint the top application time every year using software that calculates peak pest emergence and bloom. There are also a couple of DIY growth-regulating sprays. Abide by the directions precisely. Using too much spray might stress or stunt the growth of your tree.

Timing is everything. You have just seven days to stop the balls. If not, your tree will still make those irritating balls. 

Alternative Trees to Plant 

If you want to adios to sweetgum tree balls for good, swap your tree with a fruitless sweetgum tree.

This tree is famous for being a topnotch alternative to the sweetgum tree. It delivers the same appeal that other sweetgum trees do tall stature, the star-shaped leaves, and the fantastic fall colors. A real plus is that the round leaf sweetgum tree grows extremely fast.

If you want more information on sweetgum ball trees, contact Syracuse Tree Service.

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