How and what spray do we use to stop the growth of bristly brown balls from our liquid amber trees?
Answers:
The bristly brown balls on your Liquidambar styraciflua are the pods of it's seeds. There are chemicals you can use to inhibit the tree from setting fruit. Timing is critical. One such product is here http://www.montereylawngarden.com/faqs/florel.html As you can see, the entire tree will need to be sprayed, this will get expensive in later years as these trees can get pretty big and full coverage won't be possible from the ground. Commercial spray equipment will be needed then.
It's too late now, but there are some varieties available that do not set fruit.
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Other answers:
You are referring to a sweetgum tree and yes, those little brown balls are a pain in the backside.
Unfortunately, the chemicals you can get cost about $200 per year per tree. Also, you have approximately a one-week window of opportunity to spray the tree. Not only that, but if you have any other trees or plants that might be setting fruit at the same time, any overspray will affect those plants/trees also.
If you want something creative to do with them, save them and use them to start fires in the autumn. :)
You are referring to a sweetgum tree and yes, those little brown balls are a pain in the backside.
Unfortunately, the chemicals you can get cost about $200 per year per tree. Also, you have approximately a one-week window of opportunity to spray the tree. Not only that, but if you have any other trees or plants that might be setting fruit at the same time, any overspray will affect those plants/trees also.
If you want something creative to do with them, save them and use them to start fires in the autumn. :)