In the News - April 2008
When plague of 'porcupine eggs' falls from the sky
HOPE, Ark. - Shakespeare may think "a rose by any other name would smell as
sweet," but he never dealt with sweet gum balls, according to Gerald Alexander,
Hempstead County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture.
"Each spring and fall, we receive calls asking how to control the development
of sweet gum balls and what to do with the spiny fruit that falls to the ground
in the fall," Alexander said.
Alexander isn't alone. Other county agents across the state receive similar
calls.
"There's no easy answer to this question," Alexander said.
If you're considering planting a sweet gum tree, selecting a variety that
will not produce fruit is the logical choice to avoid problems in the fall. This
tree will still provide attractive crimson fall color without the spiny fruit.
Established trees can be treated with a growth regulator that will prevent
the development of fruit. However, it's not as easy as it sounds to eliminate
the spiny fruits, Alexander noted.
First, the material must be applied at peak bloom to be successful.
Because the sweet gum may have more than one bloom period and because the blooming period
is difficult to detect, most homeowners will be disappointed in their efforts.
Other deterrents to controlling sweet gum ball formation include the size and
height of the tree.
"Even if you correctly recognize the exact time the tree is blooming,
applying the product to adequately cover a 100-foot tree is a problem for most
homeowners," Alexander said.
Another deterrent is that the growth regulator is good for only one year, and
if the material should drift onto other plants, major damage could occur to
them.
"Because controlling sweet gum ball formation is an almost impossible task
for most homeowners, learning to live with the sweet gum balls is your only
option, besides a chainsaw," Alexander said.
The spiny balls don't make effective mulch, but scattered among your flower
beds, they do act as a deterrent to cats, rabbits and other creatures that like
to use your beds for whatever purpose.
Sweet gum balls are also said to be good fire starters. So, instead of
purchasing commercial fire starters, use the gumballs and at least get some good
from them. They could also be used for decorations and crafts, and could be sold
as porcupine eggs.
Research chemists have found that the sweet gum seeds contain significant
amounts of shikimic acid, the starting material used to produce the main
antiviral agent which blocks the replication of the bird flu virus, according to
Alexander. Currently, shikimic acid is derived from the Chinese star anise, but
this source is dwindling.
"Before you go out and begin to sell sweet gum balls for flu vaccine, one
must remember that only the seeds contain the acid, and the seeds must be
harvested while the fruit is still green and hanging on the tree," Alexander
said.
For more information about sweet gum and other trees, contact your county
extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A
Division of Agriculture.
April 4, 2008
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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