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["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

When I worked for the City of Santa Rosa, we had to do a bid to get rid of 
all the liquidamber that were planted all over the place and it wasn't just 
because they were lifting the sidewalks.  As I remember, they had a limited 
lifespan due to being base narrow and the limbs gradually becoming bigger 
and bigger and heavier and heavier and the ones in the parks starting to 
drop limbs on folks.  They also, at first, took to removing the cones from 
the monkey puzzle trees but eventually just cut them down (might be two 
left) because of the size and weight of the cones.

Lynda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gene GeRue" <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
> I planted a sweetgum (liquidambar) about seventy-five feet behind the
> house about twenty-five years ago. It makes beautiful autumn color. I
> have since learned that while its beauty and fast growth make it a
> favorite for lawns and parks, it is considered by many to be a trash
> tree. For a number of years I have dealt with the increasing root
> growth above ground around its base and with lots of sprout. I would
> not plant another so close to the house.
>
> Because of the fast growth I suspect the wood is soft. Ron can tell us
> for sure when you take it down.
>
> My walnut problem and your sweetgum problem highlight the important of
> being careful what trees you grow near your garden and buildings.