Is There A Good Use For Sweetgum Saplings.

[TBAR]

One of our fields hasn't been worked in over 20 years. It is now over grown with Sweetgum saplings. They are so thick you can't walk through them, measure in size from 2"-6" in diameter and are 8-12 feet high.

What can be done with about 100.000 Sweetgum saplings???


TBAR

 

[Glenn9643]

Several years ago a friend was looking into growing mushrooms for the market and if I recall correctly sweetgum logs were used for the growing medium. I doubt that yours are large enough, even if there was a market. That's the only use that I've ever heard of for them.
I had the same problem that you're experiencing on my place in MS and found that the toothbar on the FEL will generally take them out with little resistance. Privet hedge was rampant in there as well, but like the sweetgum the roots were pretty shallow. I uprooted them and pushed into piles. The problem with this approach is that it's difficult to work around desirable trees that are growing within the problem areas.

 

[EddieWalker]

I know your pain. Those sweat gums will take over in just a matter of months. I've mowed them down, only to come back a few months later and see them 2 feet tall again. Even when you dig them out, if there is any part of the stump still touching dirt, it will continue to grow. I've never seen a tree with such an ability to grow!

The only good thing I can say about them is that they do come out fairly easy compared to the oaks and pines. Only cedars come out easier.

You didn't mention how big the pasture is, but from the size of them, you could rent a small dozer and clean them up fairly quickly. Now the weather is perfect and with the leaves down, you can really see what your doing.

 

[Chuck52]

I you're into crafts, I suppose you could turn some of them into rustic furniture for your porch or deck.

Chuck

 

[MMM]

If pasture is large enough, aerial spraying might be cost efficient. Then do a prescribed burn or let them rot. Gums that size decay rapidly.

 

[sendero]

It's a shame, the sweet gum is one of my favorite trees. Beautiful fall colors, interesting habit, and those cool spiny pods.

But I realize that any tree you don't want in a particular spot is a nuisance.