Sweetgum Tree Would you plant one?

I would like to plant a Morain Sweetgum and would like to know if you had to do it all over again would you plant another Sweetgum tree?

What do you like about the Sweetgum and what don't you like about a Sweetgum tree?

If you would plant another tree which tree would you plant?

Make sure it's not going to be in an area where the annoying spiny fruits will be a problem. Also the roots can be aggressive and can lift sidewalks/driveways, etc. But the foliage is a nice crisp green in summer and beautiful fall color.

I hate the sweetgum balls myself--my neighbor at my old house had one and I was constantly stepping on them, having to fish them out of my gutters, etc. There was also an old sweetgum in my backyard that had been cut down years before I moved in (enough years that the stump was mostly rotten), and it was still constantly sending up sprouts from the roots. I think their roots can be a bit aggressive too so make sure you keep it enough distance from the house.

Also make sure that you will not be mowing within 15 or so feet of the tree as the roots will lift out of the ground and ruin your mower.

Awesome fall color but annoying surfacing roots as just mentioned, and the spiney fruits as noted, too. I think there are sterile cultivars. (no balls). Its certainly not rare in my area (common in moist woods) so while I love the fall color I would probably look further before settling on this.

What do you think of Autumn Flame Maple? This tree gets NO seedpods.

This site
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st043
seems to like it although this one says there are seeds (Maybe you have found a source for a sterile one)
Maple has lots of small surface roots but they are not the big annoying ones as what I remember on the sweetgums I had.

This pistacia looks very pretty but I am not familiar with it.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1229527/

This message was edited Nov 24, 2011 10:43 PM

I do know my neighbor has a Sweetgum that is 40 years old and he does not have surface roots yet just balls.

He said that he would get another one, because it is a beautiful tree.

Consider getting a sweet gum that doesn't produce the wicked spiny fruit:

http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/55585/

I would definitely consider Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (I have run out of room but trying to find a place for this). I've seen several and they are gorgeous. Since they are VERY vertical, I would assume the balls would fall somewhat close and wouldn't be quite as much a nuisance...kim