However, it by no stretch totally eliminates the quantity. Ready to tackle another bothersome tree problem? My advice is not how to stop sweet gum balls from falling, but to warn you that pets, especially puppies love to play with them when they are dried. One arborist says to drill a 1 1/4 wide hole completely through the 24 diameter oak and insert a 1 diameter threaded galvanized steel rod all the way through and bolt both ends with nuts and bolts, using a large square nut on the tree end. You kill it by those methods and be prepared to shell out the large for it. A. Once this happens, the tree will no longer be able to get water to the leaves. The trunk of this tree is sturdy and large to support its grand height--it can be as much as three to four feet in diameter. I had to look at this and it reminded me of something I was told in my much younger days when I followed the path of revolving metal at high speed and creating wondrous objects that sometimes fitted together. Tree Service Experts Since 1880. (I still want a house to come back to and a tree to enjoy ).Thank-you also for supplying me with the correct term for an arborist. She was right, the fire started quickly and burned for a very long time. Be a silent hero, you can do it. i get on average in summer, 5 hours of any light in my garden. (08/02/2008). When they are simply in the wrong places, theyll damage driveways and buildings as well as block pertinent sunlight from reaching the garden during the most efficient times of the day. I recently had the property marked for gas/hydro/water etc My concern (before calling in an arborist) is this: the trunk of the oak tree is within roughly 12 of the marking. You sound like a dyed-in-the-wool eco-vandal.shame on you. Vhemicals such as, well, maybe bleach, ammonia, and fuels like kerosine ans gasoline. The leaves are deeply lobed, often star-shaped, and come in a vast array of colours that suit any planting scheme. He said they spray the sweet gums on a few of the parks' golf courses each year. As for the right to light, see this. Good luck. Affiliate Disclosure (03/13/2008), I previously was the Director at a pre-school. Pool salt, very detectable. Reutlingen is located about 35 km (22 mi) south of the State capital of Baden-Wrttemberg, Stuttgart.It lies in the Southwest corner of Germany, right next to the Swabian Jura, and that is why it is often called The gateway to the Swabian Jura (German: Das Tor zur Schwbischen Alb).The Echaz river, a tributary of the Neckar, flows through the city centre. Reg. Can you give me some advice concerning the trees? (and i mean a little). [15] The tree is a symmetrical shape and crowns into an egg shape when the branches get . after all how can you expect the city to care of a problem with their limited resources when you yourself wont put i the work. . The tree might even grow over that nail in given time. I am just worried that as the tree grows the roots may rupture the mains. If you have more than one sweet gum tree, each one must be chemically treated to stop fruit production. How Many Copper Nails Are Needed to Kill a Tree? - Reference.com My lawyer tells me that if I go and cut the tree then the judge would dismiss any lawsuit they may bring against me when I explain I did it for safety reasons. It depends on the size of the tree, the size of the nail, and the placement of the nail. Hey, be cool, Schiller. Where are there guidelines on safely putting bolts, lags, etc. How do I stop my sweet gum tree from producing balls? I think your suggestion is very sensible and Ill give it a go. This diverse range of colors makes this tree a popular choice for parks and recreational spots. You can collect the sweetgum balls (dried ones), spray paint and glitter them, and either use them on Christmas giftsor Christmas trees, in bowls on the table on in clear glass vases or baskets with natural pine cones. Preventing the flowering of sweet gum trees is probably best done by a professional. I taped him with CCTV. Use of the word surgeon is deemed pretentious, whereas arborist rolls off the tongue nicely with its flowing 3 sylables. While it will probably be impossible to find nails that are all 100% copper, you should be able to find a close enough mixture to handle the task at hand. Neither product will totally eliminate them but should get most. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Roots bigger than your leg were dug out and pillars installed to stablize the walls. Driving a copper nail into a tree does nothing. This is to save the cost of grubbing out. So, not trifling matters. the trees are hanging over my house as well. I've used the product for about 2 hours today and already have the box it came in and another giant box (approximately 80 gallon) full of sweet gum balls! The roots have made my garden uneven and broken slabs and am sure have grown towards the foundation of the house. I had this problem before What I did was, dug deep until I found the roots. The Ranger responds: happy to help. Dip drill bits, screws, nails etc in metholated spirit or 100 to 1 thin bleach dilution to help prevent infection. Copper nails work 100%! It seems that all those fans peeing in the bushes were killing the bushes. 146Posts. its not the copper that does it but the chemical it is involved in creating. It pricks their feet and tummies, and they don't like it. And surprisingly, the sticky balls have a pleasant odor when burned. The tree branches have fallen and destroyed my fence and gutter. Looking for how to kill a tree? I grow fruti trees in my garden and object to the invasive and fast growing cheeper species of tree some of my enighbours grow, which are not even attractive. Copper Clout Nails - Roofing Slate. Now dive into the Fall. No it will not boomerang back at me. Reutlingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Select Option. (03/31/2008), I have 2 gum trees and I too have many gum balls. How to Get a Sweet Gum Tree to Stop Producing Balls | Hunker Very humorous blob I can talk until Im blue in my face about this old myth to a co-worker and he will ever believe that the copper nail trick doesnt work!!! I made this site to share my experiences and knowledge. Q. I hate those sweet gum balls. HEALEY LAKE PARRY SOUND DISTRICT ONT. Copper nails?? However, if you are dealing with unruly neighbors or an opposing landlord, you might not want them to know what you are doing. Two little nails wont do any (much?) Just like leaves, they must fall, so the tree can prep for new growth. Ive tried copper nails and it dosnt work. Now visitors are reluctant to come to my home, emergency services cannot easily find me. About the only thing I can think of is to remove the tree. May be you can bag them up and sell as mulch cause they don't wash away like commercial mulch does. I wasted an entire week on this method three years ago, and the trees dont seem to have even noticed. Davey provides comprehensive landscaping, grounds management, andtree care services on commercial properties across North America. I Have no choice but to get rid of these trees, as they are still growing and its unfair to be lumbered with this burden. An instant cold pack and some plain (no enamel) copper wire in a hole in the tree may work. But are they effective or even safe? The problem is that to go and openly cut it would be stressful to me and to the neighbour. If anyone needed help (other than hiring an Attorney), its me. That is why some have got to go THEY CAN BE DANGEROUS and property destroying if near to a house, The Ranger responds: or if you put your house too near to a tree. Answer (1 of 12): Late at night, light a pink candle, wear just your socks outside and approach the tree with your eyes closed. As a monoecious plant, a sweet gum bears male and female flowers. A tree that is a candidate for the injection must have a trunk at least 2 inches in diameter, and the tree cannot have received a spray or soil treatment within two weeks. Cost was shy of $100 for a very large tree. I need a cheap, effective method of killing these trees in place. For a medium sized tree in my yard, I maintain a mulch ring at least 10 feet in diameter, simply raking those that get in the lawn back toward the tree. You must use rhodium. Average shipping height: 3' - 4'. Alternatively, you can also use Foliar Spray Method, copper nails, salt, muriatic acid and even overwatering to kill the tree without . It deals with a common problem in suburban horticulture: that some of the most popular decorative trees become with time a bothersome nuisance. They fruit can be annoying so gardeners should mulch under the trees and rake the fruit into the mulch. After the second time they said they would cut the tree down. Ask a Master Gardener: Preventing sweet gum balls and tips for Liquidambar is an outstanding genus of trees which have a lot to offer any garden that has the space to plant them. Any advice will be really appreciated as i cannot afford to go through a lengthy court case because of two trees. Youll always want to make sure that the nails you are utilizing for the task are as near 100% copper as they can be. Unfortunately the play yard had a sweet gum tree and the nasty little seed balls were not acceptable in that type of yard. Ive seen trees ringbarked like that bridge a 10cm gap to repair themselves over a couple of years or so. Buy affordable American Sweetgum trees at our online nursery - Arbor Autumn has a magical feel on its own and the Sweetgum is no stranger to magical energies. copper nails dont kill trees, people kill trees, What my bottom is made of, young Kenny, is a secret known only to myself, my aged mother, and one C@. Learn more about the common tree damage signs and how to manage Japanese Maple Scale. (Another tip we got from my Mom in Michigan (Maxine)). In addition to the copper nail myth, many mistaken beliefs revolve around trees. Do copper nails in a sweet gum tree cause it not to make gum balls? Hi Ranger, thank-you. Do copper nails in a sweet gum tree cause it not to make gum balls? Hi, Im worried that my neighbour has poisoned some trees nearby to make their land more saleable to a housing developer. Eucalyptus, a type of gum tree, is used to create air fresheners, essential oils, hygiene products, and more. into trees? While there are a number of methods available for eliminating trees, copper nails offer a gentler solution because there wont be lasting damage. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. It is used for its lumber, and is one of the most common sources of hardwood and plywood, but also produces spectacular colors as it drops its leaves in the fall. Really, theres no legal way to force a landowner to manage land or trees if they dont want to, so your best bet is to work on the landlord. Many thanks. The shaded area represents the time of bloom. Corporate Headquarters1500 N Mantua St.Kent, Ohio 44240. A tree with a bunch of nails ringed around the base will look more like n eyesore than youd imagine. The spiky clusters are actually balls of fruit with tiny seeds inside that birds and squirrels snack on. Bare Root. Identifying the Sweetgum Tree - Treehugger The copper nail is a slow way to kill a tree. Copyright 2023, News Tribune Publishing. I just bought a housea real nice one. Hey, I haven't gotten the flu in several years. My Mother from Michigan suggested that we "use the sweetgum seeds to start the fire". Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. Copper nail Ring-bark a tree to kill it This is probably the best method to kill a tree, but also the most obvious one. If you own your own land or yard and have complete say-so over what goes on then you can likely skip this step. James Quinn/Regional Horticulture Specialist The other product, Snipper, is injected in the trunk and the label is for commercial applicators. and make fun of those who absolutely need to poison the trees. However, for many homeowner's this display does not make up for the deluge of spiny seed pods that litter their yard. Can you tell me more? Now the true dilemma, I live in a free standing condo and the Home Owners Association owns the trees and they refuse to remove them. Make a gift Yes, friends, let an old Ranger reveal a terrible truth - copper nails do not kill trees. He He a lot of funny comments here. Another alternative for you is to cut down the offending tree and plant a fruitless sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba') in its place. Sweetgum trees are a fall beauty with their variegated colorful leaves. I need a reply quickly if Ive got any chance of saving them. Plus, my yard is bare soil due to the roots being ontop on the soil. The worst is i have been burgled twice and the tree branches have been used to jump over the fence. Janie. I have been reading about problem trees on many sites, as i need good solid information, mainly who do i talk to about right to light issues. Absolutely not. 7. I hope this works as we tried removing one or two of the small trees which made upt he hedge before and various herbicides did not work on the stups and they grew back. Davey Tree happens to be a major player in our area. The right copper nails placed abundantly in with the depth can end the life cycle of a tree. I am surprised. The tree needs the injections right before it flowers in spring. The Best Method for Removing Sweetgum Balls From the Lawn 3.15 to 11.50. I just fell a 38 red oak tree and found the center 5 of tree at first looked charcoal colored and after a short time the black turned green .this is puzzle to me and have never seen tges in 50 years of felling profesinly and for myself. Jun 17, 2015 - Sweetgum trees are a fall beauty with their variegated colorful leaves. The neighbour came to shout at me and threaten me. Wantos is not a pussy. You could likely also just cut the tree down if you wanted for faster, more immediate results. Put your flag poles in the ground or cover up the area with mulch. It is annoying how they start falling off through the winter and generally don't finish until mid-spring, after the grass is growing, so raking them up is harder. Conservation, countryside and the environment, with extra stuff about spiders. By mid-fall, the balls are dead and seedless. Garden Guides | How to Kill Trees With Copper Nails (10/14/2008), If you have gum trees around your property and are able to cut them, you need to do it as soon as possible. With operations throughout North America, our branches have expanded, but our commitment to scientifically-based horticultural and environmental services and outstanding client service has never wavered. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue Sweet Gum trees are large deciduous trees with beautiful ovular/oval shape. You dont pay enough tax dollars for someone that works a public agency to care. DRG helps utilities such as PHI and BGE enroll and stay compliant in programs like the Monarch CCAA that put environmental conservation at the forefront of ROW vegetation management. You must penetrate the xylem and/or phloem of the tree roots.. Will it work if you put them in the root? Like the pine tree has pine cones, the sweet gum tree has gum balls. Black Gum | Department of Horticulture - University of Kentucky There are also a few DIY growth-regulating sprays that contain ethephon. It is our opinion therefore, that we should proceed with the provisional patenting procedure. Caution: some folks (such as my wife) may experience negative effects from this practice, but I really enjoy it. Because a sweet gum tree may grow 80 feet tall and hose-end sprayers typically have a maximum good-pressure range of up to 30 feet, spraying a mature sweet gum adequately is difficult for a homeowner. Builders have suggested deisel fuel and copper nails on the stumps. The Ranger responds: its a pretty good method but not foolproof. copper nails work a treat. Solutions . Been doing it for years. Keep reading to learn more ways to tackle this prickly problem. No seed balls at all. Is there some way to kill the tree, maybe from the roots in our yard. I do work in conservation based forestry and killing off that many trees is definitely a professional job. Both for your safety and that of others as well as environmental damage that can be done. what can i do, please can anyone help, with info please? 0 0 Add Answer Asked by However, I have turned a developer provieded hedge into a fence to allow my fruit more water and resources and now need to ensure that the hedge doesnt grow back after cutting it right down. Something in a gents pocket Im sure you set this title just to tease us into trying to guess what it is! I know those hanging are going to start dropping anytime. We have established that the simple expedient of inserting a copper nail (or a piece of copper tubing with an ordinary nail) before the actual start of vegetation suffices to achieve the desired inhibitory effect on gumball formation. Place the pointed end of a copper nail against the notched bark and hammer it all the way in. next to this path is a public house, and i have ivy ridden, desiesed, 80 t0 100 foot high trees, over hanging and blocking 70% off my day light. Price $16.99. This wont be the case when utilizing copper nails. Just a quick note, youll want to leave the head of the nail accessible for late removal. Sweetgum is native throughout Kentucky, except the Bluegrass. Typically, 1 quart of the chemical needs to be mixed with 10 gallons of water to make a spray. Copper nails dont work. If we ever have a world-wide nuclear war, there will be only two living things left; a cockroach and a gum tree.Everything everyone said bad here about these trees is absolutely true. Call 573-634-2824 or stop by the Cole County Extension Center in Jefferson City at 2436 Tanner Bridge Road. To assure prevention of lasting damage to the tree, copper inserts should be removed at the time of gumball maturation in control (untreated) trees. The Bag-A-Nut 18" Sweet Gum Harvester arrived in amazing time! Spotlight: Our Mystical and Magical Sweetgum Tree Part 2 Rarely reaches 100 feet in the wild. Yes, copper nails can be an effective method of killing small trees. They are said to deter rabbits, slugs and other critters. That's why non-bearing gum ball trees are so expensive. Copper nails are for roofing projects not killing off nature! All about Sweet Gum Trees - YouTube Sweet gum trees are great landscape trees. The range of the sweet. American Sweetgum | Yale Nature Walk Healthy, vigorous trees. I am a new homeowner and I have an oak tree planted by the previous owner on the front lawn. The tree remains. Never seen such poor spelling or unscientific claptrap. I then waited about a month and then I dug the rest of the root out that was running through my property.I gave the rest of it a little bit of time to die and the ground soften up with the rain but theyre out. What is one persons nuisance is a beautiful addition to the landscape for many others. They are $155 per pack. Wow! The only edible part of the tree is the dried sap which makes a fragrant, bitter chewing gum. My puppy swallowed one and I've spent the last 10 days thinking she had a virus only to find out that wasn't the case. The tree needs the injections right before it flowers in spring. Spray the sweet gum flowers until they're wet but not to the point the spray runs off the flowers. Subscribe to the "The Sapling," the Davey Blog's email newsletter, for the latest tips to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape throughout the year. The supply is always plentiful. Is it safe growing where it is now? Talk to our team of industry leaders to learn how we've provided solutions to other utilities with similar challenges and goals. These are archives of older discussions. I mean, do we have a copper bottomed promise that your story about the nails is true ? Snipper (Indole-3-butyric acid) Tree Tech Microinjection Plant Growth Is one type of metal better wor worse (aluminum, steel)? Without lighter fluid, it took awhile for the coals to start. A broken drill bit is called a broken drill bit. Tom from Winston Salem, NC, Place them in any size jar and sell as Porcupine Eggs or give them as gifts. A cavity within a tree should be left alone. Growing up on a farm in eastern PA, Ive grown fond of wildlife and the woods and learning about the critters and firewood and everything else in-between. Maybe inhaling the "fumes" from the crushed leaves has something to do with it? That is my best guess! Wiki User 2009-03-23 12:11:08 Study now See answer (1) Best Answer Copy Absolutely not. Q. I have a vegetable garden that I improved the soil a lot. According to Prof. Nicholas Lepp of Liverpool John Moores University, high-concentration of dissolved copper can kill trees as long as they reach the shoots and roots. For complete information, see "Pollinating Fruit Crops" extension.missouri.edu/p/G6001. Sorry, not telling. Liquidambar - Sweet Gum Trees | Mail Order Trees