hello! I've been lurking mostly and decided to post. I'm an 'old' GE garden chatter, so 'hello' to all you familar faces, and to the new ones.
I just don't know what to do with the Sweet Gum tree in the back yard. It's been there for years...close to 30 yrs? way before we moved in. It's large and very prolific. The prickly balls/seeds are everywhere and during every season. And that's the problem. The tree is pretty close to the house (10 ft) and right next to the patio (6 ft ). The backyard is wide but shallow, house to fence. The kids have a play/swingset off to the side of othe tree.
So while the tree does provide wonderful shade, but the seed balls are a mess and get into everything, it's constant clean up. Right next to it, within the next 12 ft, is a large Ash tree. So the back is very shaded, the grass doesn't grow well, and the seed balls cover what grass is there so mowing is a real challenge.
I'm to the point of considering have the Sweet gum taken down. The Ash would probably grow much better, too, tho we have an Ash Bore warning for our area (Ohio), but this tree doesn't have it (yet). The Ash is really beautiful, I hope it is spared. If the Sweet Gum comes down, I could fill out that area with more garden periennials, which I'd love. But my dilemma is that I'm feeling guilty about chopping down the big Sweet Gum.
I need some guidance and ideas!
tx~ lathyrus (Becky)