Uses for a Sweet Gum Tree

Landscape Uses

• The sweet gum tree is an important shade tree throughout much of the United States. This low-maintenance tree works well as a specimen tree, along streets without sidewalks, in parking lot islands that exceed 200 square feet in size and in large residential lots. Certain cultivars developed over past couple decades offer exceptional fall color, improved growth habit and no fruit. Before planting a sweet gum tree, be aware that the tree's roots are primarily shallow and can be aggressive, resulting in lifted curbs and sidewalks. In addition, the hard fruit of the tree can be a litter nuisance and may pose slip-and-fall problems on hard surfaces.

Timber Uses

• Relatively speaking, the sweet gum is not a significant timber tree. Its wood is warp-prone with an erratic display of color and grain. However, it is commonly used to construct pallets, crates, barrels hardwood plywood and furniture frames. In recent years, a form of high-value composite for heavy load-bearing beams was developed using sweet gum timber. The use of sweet gum tree timber in this capacity reduces the demand on more costly and slower-growing hardwood oak trees.

Herbal and Medicinal Use

• The derivatives of various parts of the sweet gum tree have been used for centuries within incenses, perfume bases, salves and herbal remedies. Sweet gum balsam has been used to cure ailments including dysentery, diarrhea, gonorrhea and ringworm since the time of the Aztec Empire. The gummy tree sap, from which the name of the tree is taken, was commonly used during Civil War times as a bitter-tasting chewing gum.

Reclamation and Reforestation

• Sweet gum trees are well-suited for reclamation and reforestation projects, due to their relatively fast growth and high resistance to disease and insect infestation. They are frequently planted in phosphorus and zinc mine land reclamation projects. This prolific species is especially well-adapted for the reforestation of acidic soils. Sweet gum trees readily provide shade and fix nitrogen in the soil wherever they are used.