http://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010 and context= Virginia Tech Non-timber Forest Products Fact Sheet no. Powerful POSITIVE Affirmations! Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimers, [{"id":39337073311814,"title":"5 Burrs","option1":"5 Burrs","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Witches Burrs Curio | Sweetgum Balls | Removing Negativity, Protection - 5 Burrs","public_title":"5 Burrs","options":["5 Burrs"],"price":800,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":17,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}},{"id":39337073344582,"title":"10 Burrs","option1":"10 Burrs","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Witches Burrs Curio | Sweetgum Balls | Removing Negativity, Protection - 10 Burrs","public_title":"10 Burrs","options":["10 Burrs"],"price":1200,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":20,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}]. Henriette's Herbal Homepage on Liquidambar. Use them in the bottom of planters as the drainage filler instead of stones. I hope you will take the time to appreciate this tree in the future the next time you notice one. While the Muggle version of this candy only makes the consumer feel a constant popping in their mouth, the magical version makes them float a few inches from the ground. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. The genus name refers to the viscous resin, literally liquid amber- liquidus and ambar. It may be clear, reddish, or yellow, with a pleasant smell like ambergris. Many kinds of trees share this growth pattern, and they are typically fast-growing trees that often "invade" open areas (elms and willows, for example). I can say that I am somewhat a fan of sweet gums. Sweet gum is a large tree with a long, cylindrical trunk, pyramidal crown, and corky wings on branches and twigs. The substances people use are really different. $7.22, $8.50 Although it produces small clusters of inconspicuous flowers in the spring, it does not (usually) set fruit. Always seek theadviceof your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding amedicalcondition or use of herbs or plant materials for medicinal use. Indeed, the Sweet Gum tree's seedpods are used in magick, and spiritual work for protection, but also more than just for that! The inner bark produces a fragrant resin, called American styrax or storax, which is used in cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, and tobacco, and as a fixative in lacquers and adhesives. It has many names, including liquid amber or copalm balsam. The sap, known as storax, has been used for centuries to treat common ailments such as skin problems, coughs, and ulcers. I have the misfortune of having a sweet gum ball tree just on the other side of my property line and it is dropping hundreds and hundreds of gum balls Sweet Gum Tree balls and dog eating them (property, attorney, state) - Real Estate -Brokers, appraisals, development, lease, investing, relocation, apartments, houses, condos, values, mortgages . The Euroamerican settlers adopted many of the Indian uses for sweetgum, either through observation of native practices or discovered independently. They also work to ward off annoying baby brothers. As a matter of fact, I'd go so far as to say way, way, way too prolific. Made into poppets. The witching hour. Itsleaves haverounded lobes. Its alternate, serrate, palmately lobed (star-shaped with 5-7 toothed lobes) leaves are dark green and . In addition to storax, the sap of the sweetgum tree was burnt as incense or mixed with tobacco leaves as a sedative, as well as used in the making of soaps, cosmetics, fixatives in perfumes, adhesives, and lacquers. The seed burrs are typically 1 to 1.5 spiny balls; they change from green to brown and look like a a vicious mid evil weapon and in fact if you ever get hit in the head by one or step on one in your bare feet, you might come to think of them as Devil Spurs. Both development strategies optimize growth, survival, and reproduction with the tree's food reserves and environmental challenges. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. You can make all kinds of things like crafts, tea, and Tamiflu! | Manifest Abundance. But, when some of these people referred to sweet gum balls as "Witches Balls" or "Witches Burrs", I figured it would be interesting to look into further it is almost Halloween after all! Sweet Gum. Overview More Information Care Knowledge Cultivars Sweet-gum is known for its unique star-shaped leaves with outstanding yellow, red, and purple fall color. Careers. Second to that is the sweet gum. Here's a quick reference guide to the healing, magical, and metaphysical properties of more than 100 trees. Sweetgums are notably absent from magical and herbal tree lore, which derives largely from Europe. And its medicinal properties called on in medicines like Tamiflu. Sweet gum balls or witches burrs or witches balls are the sharp, thorny protective casings that house hide the seeds of the sweet gum tree. The list of value-added products derived from sweetgum trees can be increased by continued research of this abundantly occurring tree. Applying the balsam to the skin might help with chigger and other insect bites. I've certainly learned a lot about sweet gums since then though mostly because I've searched high and low for ways to get rid of the stinking "gum ball" seed pods they drop everywhere. Spring Flowers of the Sweet Gum Tree - Liquidambar . For the best chance of stopping the sweetgum balls, hire a certified arborist. The genus Liquidambar has four species worldwide. 2 Its also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. Was this a voodoo ritual? Roots Foliage Binder-Free Modification of a Glassy Carbon Electrode by Using Porous Carbon for Voltammetric Determination of Nitro Isomers. The sweet gum got its name for the resinous sap that results when you score its bark. Hardwoods; Agriculture Handbook 654. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? I actually only recently learned that the sweet gum balls had magickal attributes to them, and I feel I shouldn't be surprised since just about every single plant has it's medical and/or magickal properties. The chemical breaks down into ethylene, a naturally occurring compound that sweet gum produces when under stress. Have you ever noticed that sweet gum leaves gradually change shape over the summer? Its texture is reminiscent of rubber because of the physical-chemical properties of its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which contribute to its . Fruits or Seed Balls Externally, it is applied to sores, wounds, piles, ringworm, scabies etc. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. where is all the lysol? Tell Amazon: Prevent price gouging during emergencies, What is the witching hour? 10 drilled and glittered Sweet Gum Balls , sweet gum balls for fall garland, DIY sweet gum garland, DIY fall garland DIY woodland wedding 5 out of 5 stars (1.3k) The seed balls become noticeable in the late summer and fall as they turn from a shade of green to brown. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. In fall, sweet gum leaves turn a variety of colors, contributing greatly to fall color in communities. Sweet gum is popular for landscaping, prized for its beautiful fall color. Fill to the top with alcohol such as Vodka or Pure Grain Alcohol and let it steep for 6 weeks. The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Available from. A quick search and there are days upon days of DIY craft projects listed online that include sweet gum balls. The sprouting of sweetgum in relation to season of cutting and carbohydrate content. (15% off), Sale Price $3.99 Only time will tell. It may also have been used as an insect-repellent, although other botanical sources were more effective. 2019 May 23;4(5):8907-8918. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00622. Anti-inflammatory; Liquidambar; antimicrobial; antioxidant; storax; sweetgum. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Directly to your inbox. Original Price $4.99 They tend to be about 1.5 inches in diameter and are yellow/green while still on the tree and dark brown in color once they fall, usually dropping in late winter/early spring. I use these in my potted plants to ward off naughty cats, says another, which sounds like a really good idea to me. However, they will take a long time to compost. Skype-calypso7776_2Check out Jenn the Taxidermy Witch a https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAFybVuL8WeOwGwXCoEO7w t Other folks dislike the tree because it doesn't make good firewood, since it is difficult to split and rots quickly. Hot glue sticks. Hung as ornaments on the yule tree. The Sweetgum tree is native to the southeastern United States and a member of a genus made up of only six species. DISCLAIMER. Join our Green Witch Living Loyalty Program, GWL Rewards. Medicinal use of Sweet Gum: A resin obtained from the trunk of the tree (see Uses notes below) is antiseptic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, parasiticide, poultice, salve, sedative, stimulant, vulnerary. In the video, a TikTok witch explains how to use sweetgum balls, which are also known as witches burrs due to their supposed spiritual properties. Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. Sweet gum seeds are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and wood duck, as well as by squirrels and chipmunks. Bookshelf However, only L. styraciflua is native to North America where it has a widespread distribution across the southeastern United States. Though they can be murder on bare feet if they fall before softening, these brown spiky balls are popular in arts in crafts and also, apparently, in magic. Sweet gum is a deciduous, forest-dwelling tree, growing as high as 150 feet, the tree is covered with rough, gray bark; but the branchlets are reddish-brown and often have corky ridges. Altingiaceae (sweet gums) (formerly Hamamelidaceae). Chemical analysis has found astringent tannins and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory compounds in sweetgum, which make it effective in treating skin and mucosal infections. I'm planning on digging out the topsoil in the low spot (and use it for gardening elsewhere on my property), and I'll rake my plethora of sweet gum balls to fill the hole. Sweet gum balls or witches burrs or witches balls are the sharp, thorny protective casings that house hide the seeds of the sweet gum tree. They are quite beautiful but not too showy. remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. I absolutely love the huge sugar maple that is halfway between our shop in town and the farm. Sale Price $31.96 The trees' spike ball fruit is almost as telltale for identification as the star-shaped leaves. Can be made into a witches ball. They are considered a powerful protection amulet and are used for protection on altars, in witch bottles and in spirit bags. 10,000-7000 BC). They are perfect. (20% off), Sale Price $18.90 They are considered a powerful protection amulet and are used for protection on altars, in . The roots of a sweetgum tree have also been known to lift sidewalks if planted too closely. Using the burs in an alternative way. Foraging Texas: Sweet Gum. Expressing a love of nature in everything we create is a top priority. It is not, however, sweet. A mulch bed under the tree helps. American Sweetgum There was no mention however as to how well it thrives there. The site is secure. Sweet gums are native to North America and Asia and are valued as a source of resin and timber. The Cherokee and Choctaw also combined the resin with strawberrybush to make a beverage of unknown appeal, and the resin, when hardened and sticky, was chewed as a gum. The tree has been busy growing for so many years that it hasnt really shown us much in the fall. (15% off). Liquidambar translates as liquid amber, referring to the sweet resin that can be obtained from the tree. Original Price $8.50 22, no. 8600 Rockville Pike Some people actually want these things! How to Pick Up Sweet Gum Tree Balls and Then Use Them. Original Price $11.00 I am told the best way to preserve this acid is to crush the green pods and tincture them. The sticky or gummy sap of sweet gums serves a purpose for the tree. Now, I don't know much of anything about how well gum balls might work for 'spiritual protection', but just looking at the sweet gum balls, it's easy to see how people might think they have magical repellant powers after all, put some around and they'll sure keep me away! We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Hoodoo practices include folk remedies and magic spells that make use of physical objects believed to have spiritual or supernatural powers. (10% off), Sale Price $9.35 Silva AT, Bento CM, Pena AC, Figueiredo LM, Prudncio C, Aguiar L, Silva T, Ferraz R, Gomes MS, Teixeira C, Gomes P. Molecules. Subscribe for $1/mo. You find its magickal properties called on most commonly in american folk magick and african american hoodoo. Liquidambar styraciflua L. sweetgum. Medicinal Uses of Sweet Gum sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Flowers I'm sitting on a crafters gold mine here people! The many spiny fruits, however, can be a messy problem for high-traffic areas, and on sloping sidewalks they can even create hazardous footing. Available from: Gilman EF, Watson DG. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. 1953;28:3549. My mother bought it for me as a birthday presentI cant remember which birthday, and that probably means it was quite some time ago. The brown seed pods also have a bit of shikimic . The 10 Best Ways to Use Crystals for Healing and Manifestation. :fallen_leaf: :mushroom: :fallen_leaf: :mushroom: :fallen_leaf: Sweet gums, or Witches . Try contacting them via Messages to find out! Shikimic acid is not Tamiflu any more than . Bag-A-Nut plucks the sweet gum balls out of the grass like magic. Sweet gum seed pods, though, are a different story. from $0.85. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. Is it going out of business? or stepped on too many of them just to have them roll under my feet and propel my body in ways and directions it wasn't meant to go until I fell (hard) to the ground, landing on more of the spiny little buggers. Sweet gum balls. We have sweet gum balls E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E so many that you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a little sweet gum seedling that recently sprouted. Under Add your personalization, the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Your timing must be perfect. Habitat Your email address will not be published. Added to a witches bottle. A mulch of sweet gum balls around your favorite plants will keep the snails away. Emptying the basket is a breeze as well. Spanish explorers of the American South also noted the resemblance and recorded the tree as they trudged through southern swamps. At least that's what I see but maybe I've stepped on one too many of these gum balls in my bare feet (OUCH!!) Make the investment in . I have been very excited to learn about their medicinal properties and how to use them. The branches carry layers of cork. styraciflua translates as flowing with styrax (sweet gum hence the common name). The reason? Ronnie Ugulano. Some folks have experimented with just gathering the infertile seeds from opened balls, which is time consuming. Healing Depression and Raising the Spirits, Physical Healing, Protection from Legal Difficulties, Transitions, Happiness and Joy, Masculine/Feminine Balance, Clarity, Divine Harmony, Healing, Purification, Boundaries, Getting Stuck Energy Moving, Strength, Healing, Protection, Purification, Spiritual Refreshment. The American Sweet Gum non-showy, monoecious, yellow-green flowers appear in spherical clusters in April-May. It thrives well in both acidic soil and alkaline soil, and ponds and streams are its predominant areas. Gum Tree. Boiling the inner bark in water effectively removes the balsam and produces storax. Sweet gum balls are great for protection and banishing and they add great power to any spell or intention. There is a ton of information on the medicinal uses, clinical trials and scientific research references that can be found on this site. (Do not try to give these people a holiday wreath made out of glitter-covered sweet gum balls.). USES: Use your witches burrs by adding them spell jars, load them with herbs and oils for your specific intention, cast them into a fire, or use as a . All Rights Reserved. Sweet Gum Healing. But, apparently in some circles, there is a demand for sweet gum balls. As with the resins of pine and the milky latexes of dandelions and ficus plants, sweet gum's sticky sap rapidly seals over bark wounds, drying and forming a protective "scab," and the flow of the sticky, aromatic stuff can deter burrowing insects and herbivores. Several species are grown as ornamental trees for their showy fall foliage. From April 2005 to October 2006, gynecology and obstetrics, in the 92th Hospital of Peoples Liberation Army, used sweet gum ball to treat 44 cases of postpartum breast distension and the curative effect was quite satisfactory. In: Burns RM, Honkala BH, editors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441155/ The list of value-added products derived from sweetgum trees can be increased by continued research of this abundantly occurring tree. Bark is brown to gray, very rough with deep grooves and narrow, slightly scaly ridges. Add to Favorites Sweetgum Tree Balls 5 out of 5 stars (2) $ 3.99. It had knarly roots protruding from the ground that I use to sit on like a bench. If, only if, I were a craft person (I'm not), I'd be in heaven! Personally, I am surrounded by Sweet Gum Trees and I am looking forward to working with them medicinally in the near future. Sweet gum wood is a favorite for furniture, and the sap is added to tincture of benzoin and found often in incense. In fact, I had never seen, felt, or heard of sweet gums until well into my thirties when we bought our current property here in southeast Virginia. ), but they are ok. And they can be rather pretty in the fall when their leaves turn yellow and then into nice purple-red colors. The species name translates as flowing with gum (styrax or storax). 2023 Jan 1;28(1):360. doi: 10.3390/molecules28010360. Sure, sweet gum trees aren't as majestic as oaks, or as pretty as birch, or as tasty as maple (syrup anyone? Pozzobon RG, Rutckeviski R, Carlotto J, Schneider VS, Cordeiro LMC, Mancarz GFF, Souza LM, Mello RG, Smiderle FR. The flowers are unisexual and greenish in color. The Spaniard recognized its similarity to the well-known Asian species (and close kin) that exuded the same resin. It fulfilled these roles for soldiers in the Confederate army during the Civil War. The branchlets are pithy, many-angled, winged, and at first covered with rusty hairs, finally becoming red brown, gray or dark brown. Hung above your doors or in the kitchen. Many of the medicinal properties of sweetgum come from storax as well as essential oils extracted from the leaves. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Choose the options youd like for the order. Flowers AprilMay, with male and female flowers on the same twig; male flowers greenish-yellow, on an upright stalk in several tight, rounded clusters; female flowers in a single, drooping, round cluster about inch in diameter. There is quite a lot of good wrapped up in this amazing tree. . When the seeds mature they turn black, but while they are still yellow they contain shikimic acid, the same ingredient in Tamiflu that was originally harvested only from star anise. Where you earn points on every order, redeem points for free products, coupons & discounts. Original Price $2.99 You find it's magickal properties called on most commonly in american folk magick and african american hoodoo. In addition to the potential medicinal uses of sweetgum extracts, the extracts of the sap possess antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi and have been effective treatments for reducing nematodes and the yellow mosquito, Aedes aegypti, populations thus highlighting the potential of these extracts as environment-friendly pesticides and antifungal agents. From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. Air and water easily pass through their hollow structure, and their spikey surface can even help deter slugs and other animals. Disclaimer. [Last accessed on 2014 Feb 11]. sweet gum ball | 83.5K views. $18.90, $21.00 Lovely article :) The plant was used to treat colic, internal diseases and to comfort the heart.. Though they can be murder on bare feet if they fall before softening, these brown spiky balls are popular in arts in crafts and also, apparently, in magic. Reply. Your email address will not be published. Sweetgum trees are important resources for medicinal and other beneficial compounds. server | 760 views, 30 likes, 119 loves, 97 comments, 63 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Densu: Free Rank Up in Khmer Server ABA: 004570720 ID:1443589 After the first part dried, I flipped the skewers and painted the other end. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. The Impact of Selected Essential Oils Applied to Non-Woven Viscose on Bacteria That Cause Lower Urinary Tract Infections-Preliminary Studies. Share Tweet. It tolerates a moderate amount of flooding or saturated soil. Learn more. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers. $9.35, $11.00 Youll see ad results based on factors like relevancy, and the amount sellers pay per click. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX! The gum has long been harvested and used for chewing gum, but it is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Embark may be foliar also. While you wait, the tree has much to offer. You find its magickal properties called on most commonly in american folk magick and african american hoodoo. The American Sweet Gum branches and branchlets may have distinctive corky ridges. 4005. Those spiky fruits drop on your lawn and are seemingly immune to your efforts to rake or mow them. When the balls would fall off the tree in Autumn , it would be quite difficult to walk under the tree and if you were not careful, you would fall , it was like walking on golf balls. The tree needs the injections right before it flowers in spring. Accessibility DO NOT CUT DOWN YOUR SWEET GUM BALL TREE! She is the author of, The Importance Of Livestock Newborn Umbilical Care, Raise & Market Specialty Poultry For Meat & Profit, Start Collecting & Using The Water On Your Farm, Successful Strategies For Profitable U-Pick Farms, Get to Know the Medicinal Uses of Sweet Gum Sap & Fruit. Another use they find in magick, is that they are believed to focus and augment spiritual power of the spells and rituals. Plant Physiol. Sweet Gum Balls can be used for protection a variety of ways such as: In oils. In addition to the potential medicinal uses of sweetgum extracts, the extracts of the sap possess antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi and have been effective treatments for reducing nematodes and the yellow mosquito, Aedes aegypti, populations thus highlighting the potential of these extracts as environment-friendly pesticides and antifungal agents. http://www.ntfpinfo.us/docs/other/VirginiaTech2001-SweetgumFactsheet.pdf, http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/liqstya.pdf. A decoction from the inner bark is traditionally (Cherokee) used to calm the nerves. Love those things :)Reply, Never miss an update! The former species is an uncommon ornamental in the U.S. Were having a perfect fall in Ohio. Sweet gum balls ("Witches Burrs" or "Witches Balls") are apparently a traditional American Hoodoo magical item. MeSH (15% off), Sale Price $7.22 Many of the medicinal properties of sweetgum are derived from the resinous sap that exudes when the outer bark of the tree has been damaged. Then, the flowers drop, preventing the balls from ever forming. Enter your email address below to receive AGrowingGarden.com posts by email:Delivered by FeedBurner, The Incredible Beauty of Crepe Myrtle Bark. Use them as mulch (you can't have too much mulch!) The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Metaphysical Properties. The woody capsules are mostly filled with abortive seeds resembling sawdust. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. Other extracts derived from sweetgum trees have shown potential as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and chemopreventive agents. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. -. Available from: Kormanik PP. They are typically about 11.5 inches (2538 mm) in diameter and are covered with rusty hairs. Sweet gum's indeterminate growth pattern means that even after the spring buds open, the tree grows continuously all season long, lengthening branches and adding progressively deeper-lobed leaves until cool weather slows, shrinks, and stops leaf production. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Historically, the hardened sap was chewed like gum for pleasure as well as for medicinal purposes. When the seed pods turn brown they will fall from the trees and make a rather bothersome mess on your lawn, hence why they are considered a nuisance tree to those who prefer pristine lawns. In traditional North American Indian medicine, the resin and inner bark were used to treat diarrhea, and, topically, as a salve for wounds and skin irritations. Yes, there are people selling sweet gum balls on eBay and etsy, and I would have to assume that there are people buying them there too. A popular urban tree. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The leaves of the sweetgum alternate and have maple-like star shaped leaves. This is a conical shaped tree which becomes rounded with age. The sweet gum tree was to pioneer youth the rustic equivalent of a gum-ball machine. Sweet gum trees have very shallow root systems and often times on older, larger trees their root systems will protrude from the top soil. It can be an excellent shade tree in the right location, away . 4. The Aztecs combined the resin of the Sweet Gum with tobacco and used it for smoking in the court of the Emperor. Other websites I visited, stated in a nutshell that Sweet gum tree medicinal uses when made into a balsam or salve, it is used for skin conditions, hemorrhoids, ringworm scabies and frostbite. More on Sweet Gum: Eat the Weeds with Green Deane: Sweet Gum Tree. The sweet gum trees we have are quite tall and very prolific. It has beautiful finely toothed leaves which colour to shades of red, orange and purple during Autumn putting on a spectacular show. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. The star-shaped leaves of sweet gum become even more striking in the autumn, when they turn various shades of gold, red, pink, and purple, often on the same tree. Original Price $5.00 As an infused oil (leaves, stems, inner bark) can be used in making salves for mild aches and pains such as sore muscles.