We ’re having a stark fall in Ohio . We ’ve had just enough rain and somewhat warm days that the leaves are easing slowly into the net dip . We have loads of color , and I ’ve been relish some of my favourite trees as I aim around the community . I absolutely eff the vast lettuce maple that is midway between our store in town and the farm . Truthfully , it is credibly my pet fall colour . Second to that is the sweet gum tree .
We have a sweet chewing gum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) in the front thousand . My mother buy it for me as a natal day present — I ca n’t remember which natal day , and that probably means it was quite some time ago . The tree diagram has been busy growing for so many geezerhood that it has n’t really evidence us much in the evenfall . This year , however , it has in conclusion come into its own .
Sweet Gum Healing
It choose the sweet chewing gum tree 20 to 30 age to senesce enough to give rise its fruit . The trees ’ spike ball fruit is almost as telltale for identification as the superstar - shaped leaves . While you waitress , the tree has much to offer . The sweet gum got its name for the tarry sap that results when you score its barque . It is not , however , sweet . The gumwood has long been harvest and used for chewing gum tree , but it is also known to have anti - instigative properties .
Sweet gum sap has caught the attention of medical researchers , and we know that much of its folkloric uses are now back with scientific logical thinking . Extracts from the sap have testify promise in fighting drug - resistive bacterium and hypertension . It is a potent anti - fungous and an effective rude pesticide .
Once you have a fruiting tree , an entirely young variety of benefits is available to you . The seminal fluid contained within all those spike are anticonvulsant and have possible applications for epilepsy . It ’s too belatedly in the season to reap sweet chewing gum for its influenza fighting abilities , but await for the unfledged pods next twelvemonth . When the seeds mature they reverse black , but while they are still jaundiced they contain shikimic acid , the same factor in Tamiflu that was originally harvested only from star anise seed . I am differentiate the good way to preserve this window pane is to crush the greenish cod and tincture them .
Growing the Tree
Sweet gum forest is a deary for piece of furniture , and the sap is added to tincture of asa dulcis and found often in incense . There is quite a circumstances of good enclose up in this amazing tree diagram .
If you ’d wish to grow your own odoriferous gum , first understand that it ’s a commitment to a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that many trace as a nuisance . Those spiky fruit drop on your lawn and are seemingly resistant to your campaign to rake or pout them . You ’ll have to love the tree diagram for all its other tone . seraphic gum is hardy in zones 5 - 9 . It is shop as a fast rise tree and will tolerate moist soil .
I might exchange my intellect about which tree diagram I love the best in drop . The sugared gum tree is certainly making a valiant effort to persuade me . Only time will tell .
