Bald Cypress Nightmare (trees, insect, leaves, planting)

[SGL1]

I have a Bald Cypress tree in my yard. It's at least 70 years old and over 50FT tall. I don't want to cut it down because it does give good shade and is a nice tree. But those sticky gumballs it drops drive me nuts. They're fine if they don't break open. But they always do. They drop in the driveway and the sidewalk and the sap is like glue. If you get it on you you're screwed.

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this other than just trimming the limbs? Maybe some kind of treatment that can de-sap the fruit?

Be nice if the birds could eat the fruit but the balls are like coconuts. I think the woodpeckers use them to sharpen their beaks.

[Idonotexist]

The Ball Cypress tree and it's leaves and balls/ fruit are a nightmare. We spend most of the winter months sweeping the leaves and GD sticky balls up. Also pets who make the mistake of eating the balls will run the chance of dying.

[tallrick]

Strange, I have a few of these trees and only find seeds and cones and never those "balls". Maybe it is an insect problem causing immature cones to fall off? My trees drop pieces of brown, woody cones and I have never found anything sticky on them.

[no kudzu]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Strange, I have a few of these trees and only find seeds and cones and never those "balls". Maybe it is an insect problem causing immature cones to fall off? My trees drop pieces of brown, woody cones and I have never found anything sticky on them.

similar to my experience in Georgia. However much I find the tree attractive I have decided against planting any in my NC yard.
I doubt there is anything that can be done to keep this from happening, especially on such a tall and mature tree.