We have just built a new house near Bendigo, Victoria. My son bought me a beautiful Eucalyptus tree (Sideroxylon rosea), which I planted, keeping in mind that it will be big. I got the tree for Christmas and planted it within a week. It is growing well except it has ants (approximately 1 cm in length) climbing up and eating it. They do not have nippers; they are not leaf cutters. But they appear to be the cause of my diminishing gum. All the lower leaves have gone! Have you heard of this? There are no pests around. Have I perhaps planted near a nest (I can't see one)?
It is probably not the ants that are taking the leaves but rather aphids. Aphids attract ants (which keep them like we keep cows for "milking") and this is probably why the ants are going up the tree. The aphids are very small and you may have missed them, but they can cause leaf drop. Treat the tree for aphids and the ants will leave too.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/keeping-ants-of-flowering-vines-vegetables-and-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
In our local park, there is a large gum tree. The top 2/3 has died back. The bottom 1/3 is growing well. If I cut off the top, there will be a large area (say 2 ft radius) exposed to the elements. I feel it should probably be sealed to avoid further damage to the tree. What should I use to seal the area? The local council is not interested in doing anything.
You should not seal the area. This can actually trap disease into the wound and harm the tree further. What you can do it treat the wound with a fungicide. This will help to kill some of the possible diseases that could harm the tree while the wound heals.
Has lots of reddish brown spots and the leaves on the bottom half of the tree have dried up. We have deep watered since planting a month ago. Our soil is alkaline but have added iron, B12, and bloom. Our soil is high pH. Is tree dying or do we have bugs?
Please contact your local extension office (found under gov't in your phone book) They will be able to help you determine exactly what is going on and how to best treat it.
I have a 20-year-old sweet gum, approximately 50' tall, with leaves out fully at the top but sparse at lower branches. Five years ago our street was flooded for about a week (from back to back hurricanes), and the tree really hasn't been the same since. Even the fall coloring is not as varietal. Do I need to call an arborist? Has the tree reached its maturity and now it's time to be cut down? If it's diseased, how would I be able to tell (it does have lichens and air plants on it but no moss, yet)? I really don't want to have it removed (my mom planted it) but I also don't want to have it fall on my neighbor's house either.
Sweet gums can live to be 400 years old, and are both salt and water tolerant. An arborist might be your best bet.
How often does a sweet gum tree release sap? Sweet gum tree is about 30 years old and just started producing sap. First time that ever happend. Is that normal, and why after 30 years sap is produced?
Typically, when you see "sap" unexpectedly, it is not sap but honeydew from pests that have infested the tree. Treat the tree with neem oil. You do not need to reach all parts of the tree, just what you can reach. The tree will absorb the neem and will carry it to all parts and will eliminate the pest causing the honeydew.
This article will be helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/aphids-tree-disease.htm
My sweet gum tree (fruitless variety) has still not leafed out. It looks like a lot of new buds and shoots but buds haven't broken yet. I live in Central Ky and tree is 2 years old. Is this typical of a sweet gum?
Sweet gums can take up to late spring to leaf out. You can further be encouraged by the fact that your tree is exhibiting signs of growth - that is a very good sign. So, hang tight!
For more information on sweet gums trees, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sweetgum/sweetgum-tree-info.htm
I am interested in buying in bulk sweet gum balls. Any recommendation as to where I get obtain them?
I did a quick search and it seems like eBay might be a good place to start.