called what? Anyone know what this kind of tree is? It looks like things of nightmares. it drops these spiky cherry looking things on my yard (see mushroom pic) that hurt when you step on them barefoot–like a lego.
I never saw anything like this in Vermont. I’ve had this tree in my front yard for 8, but i never noticed it because the branches were so high, but the storms knocked some down. they look as though their flesh (bark) is growing…gross. Nice to meet a fellow Vermonter (i still/always will be one) Happy New Year! ~amy
Ouch! I’ve heard of others stepping on Sweetgum fruit. I haven’t so far, though I live around the trees, in the Alabama woods. I know they are not popular trees but I do enjoy their autumn colors. We used to paint the fruits gold and silver for holidays.
fruits?! Those evil looking cherries that fall? Are they edible…to anything? I have only one in my front yard, the color in the fall seems to be just yellow. I will look harder next fall. Thank you so much for your help! ~amy
It is a Sweetgum _Liquidambar stryaciflua, if you need the better sounding Latin. Believe it or not these are loved in the UK and Australia for fall color
You are the second to say they have nice fall color. Mine only turns yellow. But i really never took note of it, until the storms knocked down the branches. Thank you so much! ~amy
It’s a sweet gum tree with some sort of disease process going on.
Don’t chew any part of this tree.
We’re not talking about Whigley’s spearmint.
The starlike balls can be low oven sterilised and used as decoration.
OH! You are the first to say that. That is a disease that makes the branches look like their flesh is growing WRONG…Why would i chew on the tree? You can chew on regular Sweetgum trees? They taste like spearmint? Why would the starlike balls need to be sterilized? Sorry about all the questions, i suppose i should just google it. Thank you for your information! ~amy
2me4art 
It is a liquidambar! They are such wonderful trees … Well they are here in NZ
LikeLike
I’ve not heard of this name before. Why are they wonderful? Happy New Year, Julie!!! ~amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
They look stunning when they drop their leaves in Autumn 😊
LikeLike
I will watch for next year…if i still live in this house (unlikely) Thank you, Julie! ~amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweetgum tree
LikeLike
Thank you, chuck jones! Happy New Year to you!~amy
LikeLike
Yup. Sweetgum. Not something we encounter here in Vermont, but then you’re far away now… To me, it’s a fascinating novelty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never saw anything like this in Vermont. I’ve had this tree in my front yard for 8, but i never noticed it because the branches were so high, but the storms knocked some down. they look as though their flesh (bark) is growing…gross. Nice to meet a fellow Vermonter (i still/always will be one) Happy New Year! ~amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yea, it’s a sweetgum. We have one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are the third to say Sweetgum…thank you! how strange they look without their leaves. ~amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
…or a Chestnut tree?
LikeLike
Not a chestnut, the spiky things that fall to the ground do NOT look inviting at all & they hurt to step on, think lego pieces! ~amy
LikeLike
Ouch! I thought the website I looked at mentioned spikey balls in the fall and winter on chestnut trees. Regardless, keep your feet safe! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Kim! ~amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch! I’ve heard of others stepping on Sweetgum fruit. I haven’t so far, though I live around the trees, in the Alabama woods. I know they are not popular trees but I do enjoy their autumn colors. We used to paint the fruits gold and silver for holidays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fruits?! Those evil looking cherries that fall? Are they edible…to anything? I have only one in my front yard, the color in the fall seems to be just yellow. I will look harder next fall. Thank you so much for your help! ~amy
LikeLike
It is a Sweetgum _Liquidambar stryaciflua, if you need the better sounding Latin. Believe it or not these are loved in the UK and Australia for fall color
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are the second to say they have nice fall color. Mine only turns yellow. But i really never took note of it, until the storms knocked down the branches. Thank you so much! ~amy
LikeLike
It’s a sweet gum tree with some sort of disease process going on.
Don’t chew any part of this tree.
We’re not talking about Whigley’s spearmint.
The starlike balls can be low oven sterilised and used as decoration.
LikeLike
OH! You are the first to say that. That is a disease that makes the branches look like their flesh is growing WRONG…Why would i chew on the tree? You can chew on regular Sweetgum trees? They taste like spearmint? Why would the starlike balls need to be sterilized? Sorry about all the questions, i suppose i should just google it. Thank you for your information! ~amy
LikeLike