what plant is this ??? (dogs, crazy)

[poppydog]

They're pretty in the fall with very dark burgundy/maroon leaves — almost purple, sometimes. I kinda like 'em myself and have several in my yard, but a lot of folks don't like the balls.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by nc99

also have lots of wax myrtle growing, do i just cut them off or people like to have wax myrtles...it give no flowers, but is green and grows rapidly.

Entirely your preference.

Wax myrtles can spread quite a bit, and can get out of control in tight spaces. They can also be prone to damage from ice/heavy snow.

[poppydog]

No harm in putting a feeler out on Freecycle or wherever and see if you get any takers. Some folks might like 'em.

[nc99]

Originally Posted by jill7930

Yes, a botanist friend has IDd it as sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua

the leaves look different...in the picture I posted one leaf has 5 lobes and each lobe has a triangle shaped front...

[carcrazy67]

Death to all sweet gums!!

[luv4horses]

There are cultivated varieties of sweet gum that are very pretty, but that is not what pops up around here. The trick is to buy the sterile hybrids. Those do not form fruits and they do not multiply like crazy.

American Sweetgum Trees That Are Non-Fruiting

[Special_Guest]

I didn't know people hated sweet gums! They're so ubiquitous I barely notice them. They, along with pine saplings, seem to multiply rapidly and are pretty easy to uproot when small.

The tree I REALLY consider a "trash" tree is a mimosa. They multiply like crazy, are invasive/non-native and just look cheap and trashy.

[twingles]

We don't have any sweet gums in our yard but OMG we have so many "pinchy balls" as my kids call them. So annoying, but easy enough to rake up. They must come from next door.

[poppydog]

I grew up with a chestnut tree in the backyard — talk about prickly balls (ha)! Those things really hurt. Sweetgum balls aren't as bad as pinecones if you ask me. They make a pretty fall decoration, too.

[toot68]

Sweet gums are the devil. Destroy it. Of course, it is likely growing out of old rootstock that will send out runners for the next 10 years, but stick with it and you might actually get rid of it.